Many people think, they simply have to accept everything in life as it comes and there's nothing they can do about it. Some people, at the other end, make sure they are always in control (or they think they are) and push down others who could be any potential threat, so as to have power over people and circumstances. Too many people are dead fish just swimming with the flow. Some wonder whether there might be any alternative at all to this world's way of thinking and acting...
Each and every culture has a way of life; some cultures are more free and individualistic, other cultures are more corporate in that few have the courage or the chance to break out of the status quo and the expected or enforced norms. In some nations, thinking differently from the government is already a danger to one's life, while some cultures flourish from debate and variety. Whatever culture we might be part of - past or present - there is a way we feel we need to adapt and adjust in order to fit in. After all, standing out might be dangerous or uncomfortable.
Is there an alternative? Really?
But the real pain I see in this world is in people who wish to break out but don't have any real alternative. Some break out into new fashions of clothes, music, arts etc, yet soon realise it's not so much different from before. The external doesn't really change the internal. The same internal lack of satisfaction and fulfillment is still there. All along, they find comfort only in the words of Bono's U2 song, 'I still haven't found what I'm looking for.' Some, worse, are still way back, shouting the words of the Rolling Stones, 'I can't get no - satisfaction... and I try and I try and I try...' but they can't get no satisfaction. Yet Bono seems to admit that he believes in a coming Kingdom and that 'You' broke the bonds and loosed the chains, and carried his shame on the cross! But who is the 'You'? Who else but Jesus Christ could be in mind here? Well, let's consider the following.
In Switzerland, where I grew up - apparently the best country to be born in according to a recent study - there is a strange paradox that will shed light on my point here: despite all the opportunities, wealth, security, education, organization, Switzerland has a very high per capita suicide rate, with over 1,000 a year - yes, per year! And do note, between 15,000 to 25,000 attempt suicide but 'fail.' Like Australia, Switzerland is a happy country but with a high suicide rate - what a paradox, especially when compared to Africa, where people struggle and fight for survival in desperate circumstances, while others in easy situations throw away their lives as if they were worth nothing. Well, in fact that is part of the problem: such people don't see value in their lives. The orphans I presently work with in Bulgaria, can't understand why of all people the Swiss would throw away their lives and all they have in that 'happy' country! People are desperate to find life and satisfaction - they want some real alternative. But is there one?
Some wouldn't believe there is, and certainly not in the Church. Yes, the Church has failed us, indeed. Yet the Church is NOT God - and often not even a vague resemblance of the Almighty. But the point is this: God is God - and Him we must seek to find life and a real alternative. Jesus is the image and likeness of God, the true representation of God. If we look to Him, we find life of and truth about God. There's no One like Him - and He truly bore our shame on the cross, broke the bonds and loosed the chains, as Bono so beautifully sings! If you would refer to the picture above, the world does break us and force us into a mold, but you might not be comfortable with it. There are too many teenagers who suffer or even die under peer pressure - it's an evil and we need to give an alternative. Jesus Christ can set you free, loose the chains and break the bonds because He did so when He died on the Cross!
Yet, while too much Churchianity is about religious ritual, human concepts or man-made tradition, we need to look to those churches who truly seek God with a pure heart and have something to tell and show us. Just because one food store sold you out-date products, doesn't mean every food store is the same! Get the food where it's fresh and good. But:
The God of the Bible is not a religious thought or human concept; He's a real Person with unlimited power, a fresh perspective of life and an incredible purpose for the future!
Hence, don't reject God because of some who failed to represent Him. Some guy said, 'I don't want to join the church because there are too many hypocrites there.' The pastor replied, 'True, there are many (too many, in whisper), yet wouldn't you rather endure them on earth for a short time and go to Heaven, rather than spend all of eternity in Hell with them?'
A fresh Perspective, a real Alternative
We need a fresh perspective of God, we need to know Who He really is! We do not need a new Christianity but rather a proper expression of it - a truly biblical one. That's where Christ is reflected and can be found - but only as we seek Him ourselves and don't just follow the crowd. In fact, too many church goers are themselves dead fish floating in the stream - but only living fish can also go against the flow! We need an alternative and the Bible instructs us not to be like the flow of this world, but to be transformed by a change of our thinking according to biblical values and patterns (Romans 12:2). This is the alternative! God and His way of life offers a true alternative to the way of the world. There are different values on humanity, creation, marriage, children, business, politics etc. Such are true values, values where love is paramount: love for God and love for others. Like someone said, People are to be loved and things are to be used. The problems come when people are used and things are loved. We need to get the order right and values straight - then we can have a true alternative and be part of a different lifestyle. This is the divine alternative that you and I need, and that those who find it and live by, can offer to the world, or at least to those so desperately seeking an alternative. So, be different and be a difference in this dying world!
