the convenience culture

My friend Rolf, who I met recently and is from South Africa, made an interesting observation of American life and culture. Not being a native to these parts himself, he has some qualified lenses to make some real observations about life here that we might not see as citizens immersed in our own culture. He hadn´t been here in a while, but this last visit, it was clear to him how much life in America is a culture of convenience.

I think he´s totally right.

Drive up ATMs, banks, delivery, take-out, fast food, fast casual restaurants, amazon.com, iphone apps...you name it. Some of these things can be good, useful tools...I'm not knocking all of them, I would some things, I'm just pointing out that the US is a saturated place for a convenience lifestyle.

As I got to thinking about this, I think it's true, but I also think it's unfortunate and sad that this cultural characteristic has snuck into the American church, and I would say is more widespread than we identify or care to admit. It's also not healthy I don't think.

The divorce rate within the American church around 50% is a statistic that supports this. When it gets hard or inconvenient, it's over. We'd rather not work hard or struggle in our marriage. This grieves God's heart intensely.

Rather than being missions, doing missions, it's very easy to give money to a non-profit. I've been struck by how true this is as I think more and more of it. I confess that I'm guilty of this way more than I want to admit. I'm not judging giving money or being generous to charities, those acts are great...but does Christ call us to something more?

The times in your life, when a) you've given money to a cause or b) you've sat down with someone and interacted with them when they are struggling, searching, or grieving...been an ear or served them or loved them unconditionally...which one gives a better sense of fulfillment to the whole situation?

Again, I am not criticizing giving money, especially if it is motivated out of a heart intention to support and love bringing about Christ's kingdom on earth.

Jesus wants more of us than what's convenient for us!

And He was saying to them all, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me."For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it."For what is a man profited if he gains the whole world, and loses or forfeits himself?" (Luke 9:23-25 NASB)

We live in a wealthy nation. That's fact. It's easy to give money. Yes, we're not all Bill Gates or Warren Buffett. I know. It's still easy to give money or divorce someone because things aren't working out.

As followers of Christ, I think we need to be acutely aware of the easy areas in our lives and guard against them disallowing us to serve Christ and be His hands and feet in this world.