A Cheap Imitation

By MAD21

Have you ever noticed how hard it is to capture things in a photo sometimes? The way something appears to us in real life, the beauty or enormity of a situation and no photo you take can do it justice?

I was thinking about this when I was trying to get some pictures of the area around my house after the blizzards dumped such a huge amount of snow on us last month. I kept taking picture after picture, but when I'd look at the picture I took, it just didn't match what I was seeing with my eyes. I mean they were ok, but there was so much lost in the pictures. The camera was just unable to capture the whole essence of what I was seeing.

I wrote a little about this topic for my post on Remembering, and I was reminded of it again when I was looking at Beki's picture for her blog carnival, Fingerprint Friday. She had tried to capture the beauty she saw in a frosted window, but wasn't able to get the picture to show the full beauty of the frost with it's shine and depth.

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11)

I've been thinking about how a photograph can fail so badly at portraying the beauty and complexity of real life. It is such a good analogy to the things we experience over the years. God has given us so many gifts. They aren't exclusive to believers, most of those gifts can be enjoyed by unbelievers. But there is always something missing when you take God out of the equation.

Like a cheap imitation of the true joy it was meant to bring.

If we look at a few things that are prominent in American society such as big houses, fancy cars, jewelry and name brand clothing, it's easy to get swept up in the excitement of owning such things. We buy more and more because we think it can make us happy... but does it?

There are millions of people having physical relationships without regard to marriage or commitment thinking that they are getting some fulfillment out of it... but in the end, are they really?

There are millions of people who work hard all their lives to build up financial security... but are they secure?

There is a lot of talk about motivation and purpose in the Bible. Several stories and parables that Jesus told talk about how to live our lives and what should give it meaning.

"Jesus replied, 'Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,'and 'love your neighbor as yourself.'" "All these I have kept," the young man said. "What do I still lack?" Jesus answered, "If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me." When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth." (Matthew 18-22)

"The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. By his power God raised the Lord from the dead, and he will raise us also. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." (1 Corinthians 6:13-16)

"And he told them this parable: "The ground of a certain rich man produced a good crop. He thought to himself, 'What shall I do? I have no place to store my crops.' "Then he said, 'This is what I'll do. I will tear down my barns and build bigger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I'll say to myself, "You have plenty of good things laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry." "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?' "This is how it will be with anyone who stores up things for himself but is not rich toward God." (Luke 12:16-21)

Is it wrong to own nice things? No. But you should be asking yourself a few things before you buy. Do you need it? Is there something better that you could do with the money that would further God's kingdom (i.e., support a missionary, build a school in a third world country, support a charity for local homeless families, etc.)? What are you sacrificing in order to buy it? Is it making you go into debt, or keeping you in debt?

Is it ok to have a physical relationship with someone when you are not married? This is a big question in our society today (and for the past few decades). But no matter how the media or politicians or MTV tries to twist and turn the moral fabric on this topic, the Bible is very clear about it. It is one of the few moral behaviors that is clearly defined as wrong outside of a committed marriage relationship. We've heard all the arguments by now from both sides, but the bottom line is... people get hurt. In the end, if it's outside of marriage, someone gets hurt. Disease, unwanted pregnancy, hurt feelings from a broken relationship... the list goes on and on. This was something that God created for us to enjoy, but he gave it boundaries. And yet again, just like in the garden, we fail.

Is it wrong to work hard and save up for your family's future? Absolutely not... unless it becomes an obsession and it does your family more harm that it will good. Being frugal and wise with your money is very important, but if you go overboard and obsess about not spending money on anything and worry everyday of your life about it, it causes destruction. There is a balance that needs to happen with regards to the money we earn. Seeking the advice of a CPA or financial planner so you can plan for your future is such a good idea. They can go over what you will need to save in order to have the lifestyle you want to have over your projected lifetime. It's all about balance.

Whether it's owning a lot of material things, physical relationships, or money, we must check our motivation and purpose for all of them. They can all give immediate gratification and what feels like happiness at the time. But unless it is right with God, it's ALL just a cheap imitation of the real gift we were meant to have.

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12)

Comments

[Helen]

Very interesting. I try to avoiding buying new things. Mom and I were kind of at odds about that. It wasn't the money to me. It was (and is) that I have stuff that was mom's, and stuff that was my MIL's, and I don't want to get rid of it. I like to touch an old knicknack, and know that it was there when.... That means I don't have any room for new stuff. I don't know if that is good or bad. It just is.

[Faith Barista Bonnie]

Alright, Ginny! Preach it, sister! :)

There are a lot of sobering questions here.

Thanks for being a part of my faith friends here in the blogosphere. As you know, I'm celebrating my 100 Faith Barista post and I just wanted to pause and say thank you for the honor of being on your blogroll. And to say I appreciate having your tweets and comments sprinkle through my online journey of faith -- as we "see" each other across the blogsopshere. Hugs.

[Sarah Salter]

Amen, Sister! Well said! :o)

[Bridget]

Such important things to remember and take to heart, Ginny. Thanks for these words of wisdom that are so easy to forget!

[MAD21]

Thanks so much for the comments, friends.

Bonnie, I treasure you and your words just as much. Thank you!