You don’t have to shop very long to discover that a lot of what is marketed as healthy is quite the opposite. New and Improved usually means same-old and less-than-healthy. Many fat-free items are loaded with carbohydrates to make up for the loss in taste. Many low-calorie items use sweeteners that make the body feel like it is starving, which causes consumers to eat much more. Then you have the psychological affect. People tend to over-indulge or cheat because they feel like they have earned it by “being good.” In the end, people often find themselves in worse shape – and further from their goals – than they would have been if they had stuck to meat and potatoes in the first place.
It seems to me; we have a similar problem in the Church today. One mega-church preacher talked about how hard it is to bring something new and interesting to the pulpit each week to keep people engaged. Well, I can imagine that it would be difficult to find something new, since the Bible was completed over 1,900 years ago. Great men and women of God have spent their entire lives studying and teaching the Bible to the next generations. As King Solomon wisely said, “… there is nothing new under the sun.” (Ecclesiastes 1:9) Why is it that so many modern church leaders are obsessed with proving that previous generations were missing something? Ironically, some so-called ministers are actually re-writing the ancient understandings of the Bible while simultaneously claiming to find spiritual significance in ancient pagan rituals and philosophies.
Jesus said, “I am the bread of life…” (John 6:35) Are people today looking for carb-free Christianity? Jesus, and the prophets before Him, had much to say about money, family, blessing, and success, but these things are NOT the meat of the Gospel, they are the rewards. Jesus came to restore mankind’s relationship with the Father. He did not spend his time pumping-up people’s emotions or molly-codling them. Yes, He saved and healed many, AND He warned them to stop sinning “or something worse might happen” to them. (John 5:14) This is a major divergence from the “don’t sweat it ‘cause Jesus loves you” message coming from many western pulpits today.
I know it may be a little simplistic and not-at-all new, but allow me to encourage you to stop chasing after money and success and put your energy into your relationship with God. After all, Jesus said, “…seek first His kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)
Now go eat The Bread!
Shalom