God or the High Life?

Last year, I’m sure many of us remember the huge elaborate wedding put on by Kim Kardashian-only to be divorced 72 days later. This woman and her sisters have made their mark, for sure. They have their own hit reality show, clothing line, and who knows what else. What did they do to get so much success? Kim Kardashian had sex with someone…that’s how. A sex tape of her and some other guy leaked out, and, BOOM! She’s famous.

Add in the fact that she’s physically very beautiful, she has made quite the impact. But, it doesn’t appear to go any further than that. I’ve never watched her show, but, I hear what others have said that she and her sisters don’t possess many good morals.

They all have very dirty mouths, dress immodestly, and put way too much emphasis on how rich and physically beautiful they are. At this, millions of people tune in to watch their show. Shows like Keeping Up with the Kardashians, and Jersey Shore attract lots viewers for many reasons. For one thing, they show lives that appear to be “better” and more “lively” than theirs. The people are depicted as living the high life-expensive clothes, going clubbing every night, and having the best looking boyfriend or girlfriend, and driving either a brand new Jaguar or BMW.

While this is called “reality” TV, I don’t really see much realistic about it. Most people don’t actually live like that-and I feel like a lot of people watch these shows dreaming and wishing they’re lives could be more like that. So many people probably wish they were the one with the hourglass curves, perfect hair, millions of dollars at their disposal...etc.

Lots of girls look up to these women in the entertainment industry. They see these women and probably lose their sense of self longing for something that will probably never be attainable or fulfilling to their lives. The shows lie. All of these things are not going to give a fulfilling or happy life.

In the end, things like this are not going to matter. When I was in high school, I read a play called Every Man. This man (named Every Man) was visited by death who told him that it was time to say goodbye and go to his grave. He was terrified and tried to find anyone he could to come with him (“Beauty”, “Riches”…etc). However, the only ones that would walk with him were “Knowledge” and “Good Deeds”. When Every Man was at his grave, Knowledge left him, and he was left with Good Deeds. Every Man and Good Deeds then walked hand in hand into the grave to meet God.

You see the point? All of those things don’t really matter. The only way to truly find peace is to fall into the arms of God and devote your entire life to Him. There, and only there, can you find true contentment and peace (Psalm 23:1, Hebrews 13:5). Only there can you find true value, beauty, and worth (Proverbs 31:30).

At the end of your life, and when eternity starts, what will you take with you? Only the choices you've made. Everyone will stand before God-even the Kardashian girls and all the other celebrities who seem powerful and untouchable (Rev. 20:12). Who will you choose? The physical things of this life, or the God who knows you better than anyone and loves you?

It's Time to Let Go!!!!

As human beings, we oftentimes get so focused into our goals and what we want in our lives that everything else starts to pass us by. Sometimes, we want to try and take so much control and neglect important aspects of our lives; especially our spiritual lives.

As Christians, we need to take time to just stop, and let go. There are some things that so many of us try too hard on, and obsess over. Some of these things include getting that job we would prefer over another, the ideal Christian mate, issues with family, etc.

In life, it may often seem like we are hanging on for dear life on the edge of a cliff. We’re dangling, terrified, and scared. Yet, we have a harness (God) and bungee cord (His word) connected to us. Don’t we often make things more difficult than it has to be? The answer is actually quite simple: let go of that cliff, and put your life completely in God’s hands.

Yes, we’re going to bounce up and down, and be shaken around. At times, it’s going to be terrifying. We may even break down and cry. 1^st Corinthians 4:8-9 says: “We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down but not destroyed…”

Things will start to slow down, and even out. Then, soon, you’ll find yourself standing on solid ground once more-all because you made that decision to let go and let God do as He wills. We need to trust God our harness, and the word of God, our bungee cord. Doing God’s will may lead us into difficult times, but, in the end it’s always worth it. In Matthew chapter 6, Jesus talks of things we as people need. He says, “…your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.” (32)

He hears us in our troubled times, and knows what we need; and, as hard as it is, we should do our best not to worry. Then, in verse 33, He continues: “But seek first the kingdom of God, and all of these things will be given you.”

He may not give us the particular job we want. We may not even get that Christian mate right away. But, God knows best. We just need to focus our energy to falling deeper in love with Him. He will take care of us. We need to make sure that we don’t allow ourselves to interfere with His plans for us. We can do this by trusting Him in all things-and striving to better ourselves as people.

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare, and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)

“And we know that for those who love God, all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

So…are you going to take the plunge this year?