A Vision

All too often I’m quick to call things as I see them.

This is not all that uncommon as I discuss our culture with people.  We are very quick to point out what went wrong with culture and designate them as “evil” or “bad.”  When we continually do this we lose the respect of the people around us.  It’s not that pointing out these things is wrong in and of itself, but my question is to what end?  A friend reminded me of this fact the other day.  Is that particular thing in our culture “wrong,” or is it in need of some good ole’ restoration?  Let me explain:

I had this the other day when discussing the topic of sports with someone.  I believe that sports has become an idol to many American families.  It’s amazing to see the amount of time, energy, and emphasis placed on this whole thing.  From our kids participating in multiple sports, watching sports on TV, going to sporting events, and now to online fantasy sports…Sports, Sports, Sports!  So I began complaining about how little time people involved in these have for Jesus and reflection on deeper things.  However, in my conversation I was reminded that God wants to restore sports as well.  The problem isn’t sports or “x.”  The problem is people’s lack of a grander vision…God’s vision.

See, God’s vision looks very different from ours.  God’s vision is one of restoration for the purpose of His glory.  This is a much grander vision than ours.  As Christians we claim to be a part of this mission of restoration in His good but fallen world.  This lack of vision causes a tendency to take the things that God wants to restore and make them an idol.  The idols we create are more manageable and they help us feel like we’re a part of something.  Creating these idols helps us run away from thinking about the grander vision that God has laid out.  We don’t force ourselves to think about things like eternity, fruit-bearing, community, love, sacrifice, disciple-making, and God Himself.  However, when these things in culture become obsessions, we are quick to deem them as “bad.”  Did we ever stop to think that that thing in culture may have not been bad at all?  Maybe the real problem is that we’ve bought in to a less grandeur vision.

When we discuss our world/culture it is important to remember God’s grander vision.  This requires us to be under consistent teaching that points back to this, as well as being involved in a community of people who are living out the grander vision.  I encourage all of us to point back to this vision when conversations start to grow sour and complaints start flying.  Discuss how “x” can be restored back to God.  It’s time to step back and refocus our families on what our mission is in this world according to God.  We need to ask ourselves what this vision looks like as a member of the body living in this culture.

It can’t be a game of Christians against culture, but it has to be one of God using us to restore everything for His glory.  It’s not about us, it never was, and never will be.  We’ll have to continually get over that.  Remember, the gospel is advanced through a people, the church, who catch on and hold tightly to this grand vision, God’s vision.  Want to be counter-cultural?  Let His Spirit work in and through you to restore that culture for His glory.

That is truly counter-cultural.