Seeking Something
Darkness has enclosed them, the kids have finally went to bed, and the exhaustion of another day weighs heavy on them. The days all seem to combine into one long never ending routine. It’s the same, week after week, it’s wake up, off to school or work, eat dinner, and then bedtime, rise and repeat, day after day.
Mr. and Mrs. Millennial find themselves in their bedroom lying in the bed. He’s on his side and she’s on her side, both have their faces illuminated by the light of their devices. Mrs. M is scrolling social media catching up on the latest drama that has shown up today. The silence that’s between them is broken up by 15-30 second sound bites in a never ending cycle. Voices filled with negativity, false information, and the foulest of language, that’s why the volume is down low and captions turned on.
Mr. M also finds solace, not in the arms of his wife but in the game he’s playing. He needs that blue diamond to enhance his character, oh look, it can be attained for a small amount. He justifies spending such a trivial amount, “That’s the price of a soda at work, I’ll just forgo the drink tomorrow.” Truth be told, he won’t give up that soda, as he told himself he would, and he doesn’t remember he did the same thing just two nights ago. Neither one will remember the app store receipts or the online market place records, when they begin to fight over the finances at the end of the month.
The place where intimacy once reigned in their life has been replaced with discontent and frustration. Instead of the master bedroom being a place of sacredness, and a place to escape, to find peace with one another, for it’s been turned into a virtual marketplace. The glow of lights from devices, and the streaming of videos which are all designed to draw our attention away and talk us out of our money.
Mr. And Mrs. M wonder why they feel the way they do. They search out the next podcast or long form video, hoping to find that gem that will move them to the next stage in their personal growth. All the while they neglect the spiritual aspect of their lives.
Where Christ should be reigning in their life they willingly surrender to their own appetites. When they should be looking for community within the Church, they instead look to their kids activities to find connection. When what they need is accountability partners, instead they hang out with friends who are just as bad off.
Tomorrow the M family will start the day as usual. Frustrated with one another, using sharp words, and a deep longing for something better. Searching for answers to the questions they have.
Will they seek those answers out in the world, or will they seek the truth through Christ?
The world will say, “Blame each other and go find another, it will be better.”
Christ says, “Turn your eyes to me and follow me. I will give you peace.” ‘Whoever loves his life loses it, and whoever hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.’ (Joh 12:25-26)
The world says, “hustle faster” and “grind harder.”
Christ says, “Seek me first.” ‘And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.’ (Luk 12:29-31)
The world says, “What can you sacrifice to obtain me.”
Christ has already been sacrificed for you. “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom 5:8)
We have a whole generation that is struggling with life and adulthood. They’re looking under every rock, searching in every corner, for the things that will help make sense of it all. What they end up finding is depravity and depression. They outright avoid Christianity like it’s a plague and instead embrace unholy spirituality. Those who do claim Christ hold onto him as some sort of brazen serpent that they look to when things are tough, but won’t put to death their sinful ways and take up their cross and follow him.