Opinion

A lifelong pursuit

Wednesday, January 12, 2005

We have become, to a large extent, a nation of entitlement. Part of the problem may be in the Preamble to the Constitution, which gives us certain inalienable rights.

Somehow, over the course of generations, some have read that to mean that -- no matter what -- we are entitled to certain things, far beyond life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

For instance, we seem to read right through the word "pursuit" or maybe we just out and out ignore it and we have the idea that we are entitled to happiness.

I kind of wish Mr. Jefferson had used a different word there. After all, happiness is more a state of mind than a condition.

Abraham Lincoln cleared things up for us when he remarked, "A man is as happy as he makes up his mind to be."

This pursuit of happiness is a two-edged sword at best and a bramble bush of thorns at its worst.

For one thing, we have far too many definitions for the word. We are influenced by the illusion of happiness found on the TV night after night, as we watch "happy" people with a new car, a new house, a new girlfriend, a new husband, and so on.

Perhaps we fail in our pursuit of happiness because we have bought into the idea that physical beauty brings happiness, yet our hair is falling out, our teeth are crooked, our nose is too big or our chin is too small. There goes happiness right out the window.

Perhaps we remember that in our younger days, we were "happy" and perpetual youth becomes the goal. The pursuit of youth is a money pit. Wrinkle creams only scratch the surface. In this day and age it is not unusual for some to have toxins injected under the skin to bring about an allergic reaction and the accompanying swelling. Wrinkles are then (temporarily) eliminated.

Gray hairs must be eradicated and there are any number of tonics available to restore youth and vitality. The snakeoil salesmen of the days of yore have returned full force.

Our unnatural dread of aging and death have made us altogether too fearful of living.

It is the way of the world. It is also, all too often, the way of the church. We measure God's blessings on the same scale as society measures success. If we have a nice home, God has blessed us. What does it mean if we don't?

If we have good health, God has blessed us. What does it mean if we don't?

We have honorable children and say that God has blessed us. What does it mean if we don't?

After all, believers around the world live lives far more austere than ours here in the land of plenty. In fact, some live in prisons because of their faith. Does this make their faith less productive in their lives?

It seems more likely that the exact opposite is true. An untried faith is, to quote Rich Mullins, "about as useless as a screen door on a submarine." As Agur prayed in Proverbs 30:7-9 "Two things I ask of you, O Lord; do not refuse me before I die: Keep falsehood and lies far from me; give me neither poverty nor riches, but give me only my daily bread. Otherwise, I may have too much and disown you and say 'Who is the Lord?' Or I may become poor and steal, and so dishonor the name of my God."

Perhaps a better word for what we are really looking for is "contentment." This is an enviable state of mind, a paradox in a world that thrives on chaos. To be content means that the roof over your head today is sufficient; the meal placed before you, satisfying; and the spouse at your side a comfortable companion and helpmate in spite of the ravages of time.

Perhaps Agur had influences in his life that sought to steal his contentment, hence the prayer about falsehoods and lies, and the prayer to find contentment in the provision for each day.

Jesus certainly knew that we would suffer from diverse temptations yet his teachings run completely counter to what we hear on a typical Monday night of television. Advertisers tell us to buy this, plan for that, get this and get that ... "because you're worth it," while Jesus reminds us, "If a man takes your coat, give him your cloak also." (Matthew 5:40)

The Lord's Prayer would probably be more aptly called the "Disciple's Prayer" as it acknowledges each day's need and turns us to the only One able to meet those needs.

"Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.

"Give us this day our daily bread.

"And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

"And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil;

"For thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever, Amen." Matthew 6:9-13 (KJV)

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