I know how to get rich and famous: write a self help book that makes people feel good about themselves, cash the checks a.s.a.p. then build a house with high walls to protect myself from the oncoming backlash when people realize they just paid $26.50 for a 300 page hug from me that provided no more sustenance than a pack of chewing gum (your breath might be better but your teeth are rotting!). If I'm really awesome I create some circular argument that leads people to think that if my methods (the 300 page hug for $26.50) didn't work out for them then its somehow their fault... they weren't disciplined enough, didn't have enough faith, whatever.
But I'll probably continue on the track I'm on. Which means I'll be poor and never make a cent for what I write. Because if I were to write any book that were in the self help genre (I like to picture as I write this dozens of friends laughing at the idea of me writing a book to make people feel better about themselves) it would pretty much be this blog post expanded upon in greater detail, and that isn't gonna sell to many copies (but if a publisher is interested I'm game!).
The answer to every one of our problems, to every sadness and difficulty is... wait for it... Jesus!
I know it sounds so trite; that's what happens when our faith (the greatest truth of the universe!) is reduced to cheesy expressions on our car bumpers and overpriced t-shirts*. I'm not trying to say those things are evil (perhaps thats a blog posting for another time), I'm just saying they have taken us to a point where profound truth sits next to our sports affiliations. Culturally we wear our faith and politics on our sleeves and leave it there. I believe Jesus being the answer to all of our problems would be much less trite if our lives backed up what we were sticking to our bumpers, if Jesus infiltrated every part of our lives, if we were soaked in the Gospel.
We need to be people who are proclaiming the Gospel to ourselves and others. We need to be preaching it to ourselves daily. We need to remember who Christ is and what He has done for us. We need to wake up in the morning and remember who we are in Christ, forgiven, holy, and righteous because of Christ's death and resurrection. No matter what the world throws at us nothing is too great because we know that when we die we go on to eternity with Christ.
Knowing the Gospel and remembering it daily puts everything into perspective. Everything becomes smaller and more manageable. If I am without any money and not sure how I'm gonna make it in the next couple of months (which isn't far from the truth) I can always remember that my God owns cattle on a thousand hills, money is no object for Him, and He's promised to meet every one of my needs (Matthew 6).
Our problems don't disappear, they just get put in the proper perspective. No matter what happens I stand forgiven in Christ, and the God who created the universe loves me and gave Himself for me. What is there to worry about beyond that? How can anything be too difficult or consuming?
In the midst of trials, sadness, and even despair we need to remind ourselves of who Christ is. We need to be soaked in the Gospel. Thinking more positively isn't going to help. Believing in yourself isn't going to help. Believing in an ambiguous "high power" isn't going to help. You want happiness that lasts, its knowing Christ and Him crucified!
I know one of the biggest struggles is with self-esteem. I have that struggle myself. I know I've done horrible things that should completely disqualify me from being considered a Christian. If I chose I could be completely consumed by guilt. It might make me feel better... for a little while, to just hate myself. But that's not the real answer! While we were still sinners Christ died for us; knowing full well the depth of our sin and betrayal Christ willingly died so we could be united with Him for all eternity. He has done away with our sin and made us holy by His death and resurrection. He has brought us into an eternal relationship with Him and separated our sins from us as far as the east is from the west. So when that voice comes and tells you you don't deserve eternity, you don't deserve forgiveness, you don't deserve to be counted as a saint, you're too sinful to ever be among those saints who make a difference in this world you can say boldly: You're right. I do not deserve any of those things on my own. But I serve Christ who has forgiven me of my sins and united me with Himself for all eternity. Christ took the punishment I deserve so I can live forgiven. My sin is separated from me. I am righteous as Christ is righteous. Christ no longer sees my sin, so I will not dwell on it any longer! I stand forgiven in Christ. What can this world do to me?! I have been crucified with Christ, it is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me. I live by His strength. Those sins you rub in my face were forgiven on the cross. So go away Fear and Doubt, you're no longer welcome here! My hope and joy are in Christ!
At least that's how I would say it, you can tweak the verbiage as you see fit and is natural for the way you speak. For me, I take comfort daily in knowing that no matter what the heights or depths of my own soul, Christ remains the same!
I'm not trying to minimize life's problems, but to magnify Christ. I'm not one of those people that is gonna say don't seek counseling or anything like that. I am a man entirely convinced however that in the face of any difficulty in life the first place we need to turn is to Christ and His gospel. We need to soak ourselves in it. It will put everything else into perspective.
*I say some controversial things from time to time, but no one can argue most of these Christian shirts are expensive!
[dedicated to Kylie who, for a few months, was the major victim of my rants on this subject]
