culture, the god of the west

At the outset I understand that many who are wiser and better versed than me will disagree with what I am about to say. <(that is my disclaimer!). Yet I have been carrying the weight of this communication for awhile and must get it "off my chest". I understand that like shoes, one size does not fit all, so if this doesn't apply to you, then simply don't apply it!

Our western culture has become a god (yes, even in the lives of believers). Let me back up and lay a little framework for this discussion. Recently I have been involved in numerous conversations about the difference between meetings and living out community. Repetitively, I hear the defense that many people, due to the complications and demands of life, only have time for a weekly meeting and little more. They accept this as the "cards they have been dealt" and are willing to live with the consequences. Generally speaking, we live in a prosperous culture. In our area of the country it is not uncommon for a young couple to own a house, 2 cars, widescreen TV, etc. You get the picture. This lifestyle creates the necessity of "the grind" to pay for everything. When children come along, it is a given that they must play sports, take music lessons, be in the school play, take the college prep classes, and generally outshine all of their competitors so they can "get ahead" in life. The routine becomes the immovable absolute around which "Jesus" and "community" must struggle to form. The scripture that immediately comes to mind is "do not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind...."

A friend recently told me a story about a visitor from Japan. The friend took the Japanese man on a tour of the area. The visitor pointed to a "typical home" as they passed and posed the question, "How many families live there?" He was absolutely shocked to find out it was occupied by one small family. He was accustomed to multiple families sharing much smaller quarters. Yet we consider our "space" as a nonnegotiable right. Families (believers) all over our nation are sacrificing the joy of experiencing real community by serving at the throne of "keep up with the Jones'" I have had the opportunity during a couple of seasons in my life to live out something very close to "community". Those times had their challenges but also offered great reward. I remember them as "good times". Relationships (with God and man) were more important than the "bottom line". I admit my belief that true communal living is on the horizon for the church. I can't defend that a time of shaking is coming that will result in radical changes of lifestyle. I am surly not suggesting that anyone launch out into such arrangements without clear leadership from their Father. I AM suggesting that the believer can be ahead of the curve by opting out of some of the demands of our culture. A friend recently stated, "the rat has nothing I want, why would I want to be in his race..." No matter your position in life, there are things you can do to simplify. Simplification leaves more time for what really counts.

I will finish my rant with this novel idea. What if Jesus, His Kingdom, and His directives become the steadfast immovable absolute in our lives leaving culture to mold itself around that center?
just ranting,
mickey mooney
www.networkvine.org