One of my most hilarious family memories dates back to about 1990. My brother Scott, my parents, and I were lunching near my mom's office one afternoon. As we hung out, we discussed how funny it would be if we called everything by its most literal meaning. For example, what if instead of spaghetti and meatballs, we called the dish "dough with cow pieces"? I had just taken a sip of Pepsi when my brother said that, and it was all my 8-year old self could do not to spit it across the table while laughing!
But, what if we did call things literally, in daily life? I think we would all be more informed, don't you? Sometimes we see things as fancy because they've been dubbed with French names or bright colors, making the mundane seem cool. I mean, Caviar and escargot? Who really wants to eat fish eggs and snails? No hate if you like these things, but don't you think advertisers go for the internal desire people have to feel sophisticated rather than showing reality?
It may sound benign enough, but let's really apply this to our everyday lives. Movies and TV make things seem larger than life, and they tug at that place inside us that longs for Love and Life greater than ourselves. The problem comes when we set our sites on something that, in the end, is just smoke and mirrors.
I've observed a few things media tries to dress up. One is junk food. They make it sound like a treat that's been withheld, but that they will give us, like they are sneaking us backstage. But it's really just food byproducts that give the illusion of satisfaction without nourishment. Have you ever had a peach so juicy you need a napkin to eat it? What about a piece of sugar-packed cake? Which one is more refreshing after you eat it?
Other things that look shiny on the outside are "high-powered" jobs on Wall St., dating a good looking guy, or visitng/living in a renowned city. These things are not inherently bad, but up close you'll see that the hype is there to hide the gore. I remember a day in a board room of an old job where I realized all the business decorum and preferential treatment would never get our company to its goal; instead, it only brought brokenness and vying for attention. And, while I love living in NYC, it's really just a city. Sure, it's unique...like every other city! It's a hub for a number of things in the arts, but that's because of the people who work hard to make that happen, not simply because it's NYC.
The Bible says that, "Zeal without knowledge is not good." The word "good" means it isn't of God. In other words, don't get excited about something with which you aren't actually acquainted. Sure, we all know not to judge a book by its cover, but there are actually surface qualities that don't seem surface-y. Like a friendship built on having common interests. This may make for friendly banter, but not necessarily a good friendship. A good friend spend time on the relationship instead of making you take all the initiative. Friends speak truth, they care about your feelings, and they respect what you have to say. Common interests are involved, but they aren't foundational.
See, in God's economy, spiritual things are so powerful and beautiful that they don't require a bunch of glitter to hype people up. Have you ever heard a moonlit stream shout for your attention? Or, do you notice that people of strong character don't applaud themselves or act out for attention? Both reflect the beauty of God.
So let God revamp your idea of "good." Take your time to evaluate things before deciding they are for you. Get to know that handsome guy before attributing characteristics he may not have. Ask lots of questions about that Fortune 500 job before deciding it's right (How does it treat its customers and workers, not money-wise, but respect-wise? How does the leadership treat their own family? Is the interviewer paying more attention to your figure than your resume?), and take time to get to know the leaders of that church before deciding it's good just because its worship makes you feel good. Is love for God and love for people the priority, and do the leaders stand by their word? Or do they act like superstars who have little time to get to know the congregants?
We don't have to be cynics (that actually clouds your judgement as well), but lets take time to sniff things out before desiring them. Good things take time to develop, and that is ok. Babies develop over 9 months, relationships build over time, and even trees take years to become strong. Sure, many things seem to be destiny, but one way He intended our lives to work is through the discernment He put in us. As we grow in wisdom to evaluate the world around us, we'll be able to test and choose the best things that will make for a life of purpose! This will be for ourselves as well as those around us. Sounds like fun!
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