“Let’s do something cheap and superficial; Let’s do something that we might regret; Let’s do something shallow and insensitive, ‘Cause this might be the only chance we get.” Sung by Burt Reynolds in the movie, Cannonball Run
Empty Promises
Have you ever read the book How To Be Your Own Selfish Pig – And Other Ways You’ve Been Brainwashed by Susan Schaeffer Macaulay? It is full of chapters entitled things like, If It Feels Good, Do It.
Each section of the book deals with a myth of our culture that brings not happiness and contentment like it promises, but emptiness, selfishness and pain.
“Anything Goes”
Our culture preaches these myths day and night, 24/7. Our kids are bombarded with textbooks that teach them that pretty much any lifestyle is okay. Movies and television shows tell us that anything is worth making a buck. Songs promote “humpin’ and F#*!in’ and gettin’ your kicks.”
So what are we to do with a culture where a man can fly off to Argentina to meet his “soul mate” while his four boys are left to wonder what happened to their dad? Where a late-night television star makes jokes about all of his liaisons with young staffers, and much of Hollywood turns it’s head when an award winning movie producer in essence rapes a 13-year-old girl?
Your Response
You’re now caught in the middle of the ugliness yourself. Your wasband is breaking promises. He’s more concerned with impressing his new girlfriend than caring for the family that God blessed him with. And your children are watching to see how you will respond.
What we can do is speak up boldly for goodness, honor and decency. We can model righteousness without being prissy about it. And we can speak the truth without being arrogant, and we can love without reserve. The only person we can control is ourselves. Our children will notice, our friends will notice and God will notice.
And hopefully, if enough of us live this way and show that it brings real joy, peace, and a truly abundant life, the culture will eventually take note as well. Living out our values every single day does makes a difference!
“But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do, what GOD is looking for in men and women. It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor, be compassionate and loyal in your love. And don’t take yourself too seriously — take God seriously.” ~ Micah 6:8 (The Message)
