Remotes, Abortion, and Happy Meals
May 19, 2009What do the following have in common?
- Television remotes
- Power windows
- Abortion
- CVS pharmacies
- McDonald’s
- Lying
At first glance it would appear to be a hodge-podge list with very little correlation, and of course a few dark topics. Look closer. There is a thread. The correlation is….
Convenience.
All of the above mentioned items have made life, in some capacity, more convenient. Looking at the list I’m sure we could all pick which ones have added value to our lives and which ones are a stumbling block for many. Obviously, this is not an extensive list as we live in the 21st century and most of today’s inventions are created for the purpose of making our lives easier.
Convenience is not inherently bad. If my life can be simplified in areas that I don’t want taking up much of my time and effort so that I can spend that time and effort on things that matter to me, then convenience is a good thing. But, if convenience is nothing more than an easy way out, then I have to re-examine my motives.
My television remote, for example, brings value to my life. My stress level has gone down significantly since I was seven-years-old in this department. We had a dial television growing up and later upgraded to a cable box with a button on it for each designated channel. To change the channel meant I needed to get up. I find value in this convenience.
McDonald’s is convenient. It’s convenient on several levels. One, there are 12,804 of them in the U.S. alone. Drive a mile or two and you’ve run across one. Two, the food is cheap, thus not hurting the bank account too badly. Three, despite some opinions, I think it actually tastes good. All that convenience….Yet, in the end, we all know that the convenience of eating there on a consistent basis is going to catch up with us. After all, a Big Mac value meal (fries and drink) is about 1,500 calories.
Convenience is the American way.
Sunday, we’re going to chat about whether or not convenience is God’s way.
Did you like that plug? Marketing is my specialty. Seriously though, this is an important topic, as we tend to make a vast majority of our decisions on what is easy and convenient when the life of Jesus exemplified something entirely different. So, come out to Orlando North Community Church Sunday (www.OrlandoNorth.com) at 6:00 pm and be a part of this conversation with us.
Matthew 7.13,14 – Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
RD
Thats hard, but very good and true convenience is a silent killer for sure!
I love how Rob challenges this generation to think outside of the box and what is normal. Our generation is comfortable with the status quo. Most of all what I enjoy about Rob’s ideas and sermons is that they suggest ideas in my head without even saying anything. Convenience can be a comfort zone that keeps us in our box and holds us back in what God has for us. As always, we look to the Bible for example, Jesus called his followers to come out of convinience (much like Moses out of Egypt) into what may not be comfort but what would bring us closer to God. The Diciples were inconvinienced. In that same way I know God also has called us to step out and stand in the gap. I challenge our generation and my amazing church back home to really take this message to heart and step out of comfort and convinience. Allow the Lord to use you everyday of your life to touch one life and let the Lord’s light shine in you. Be the salt of the Earth and not the convinience of the Earth. Thank you Rob for helping our remember the reason churches were formed.