HYPE!!!!
HYPE IS A BIG PART OF OUR CULTURE!!!! Everyday we're slammed with phrases like "Don't miss this event!", or "75% off EVERYTHING!", or "Once in a lifetime opportunity!", or "BLOWOUT SALE"! We're not idiots. We all know that not everything can be the greatest... or the best... or the most incredible!
Dave
If you think about it, our faith has an element of hype to it as well. It's easy to gravitate towards thinking that God's primary purpose is to bless us, heal us, and make us happy! That's not true. His primary purpose is to transform us into becoming more and more like Jesus!
God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son... We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him. Romans 8:29 (The Message Bible)
This sucks (probably not the best phrase to follow a Bible verse)! If the goal was to become nicer or kinder, we could do it by simply trying harder! However, if the goal is to become more and more like Jesus... TRYING HARDER isn't going to cut it!!! That's why Jesus told his followers to find their strength in Him. He said, "I am the vine... you are the branches... remain in me..." (John 15:1-8).
How do we do that? I don't think there is any right answer. Connecting with Jesus looks different for each of us based on our personality, season of life, etc. However, it does start by finding a TIME and a PLACE to be alone with Jesus. Maybe it sounds legalistic, but I don't know of a way to stay connected with Jesus w/o being intentional about setting aside time and a place to do it!
Dave
PS - Infomercials are notorious for hype and here is one of my favorite ones...
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