A good comic doesn't need sophistication to make us think. One stand up comic's set comes to mind to demonstrate this. Speaking of us in the U.S., he painted a picture of a thriving society. His proof of our triumphant posture was waterparks.
After building momentum with several water-themed jokes, he finished off by saying, "That's how you know we've made it. Other people in the world can't find water to drink and we're over here playing in it." It was a joke, yes, but it was also social commentary. A punch in the gut wrapped in a belly laugh.
Besides the comic's thought provoking intent, I also see a faith lesson in his joke. I take it from Psalm 63:1. The psalmist begins his worship set with his aim on God. He seeks God. Now, to be frank, that feels like language we dally with today. The backdrop to the psalm tells us the psalmist is in the wilderness. So, he isn't playing with his words. He seeks God as if he was in a dry and weary land where there is no water. Where there is no water, there is no life. The thing is, that's exactly where he was. And, for most of us that's mere imagery.
The psalmist had nothing but God to turn to. We often pray for the willingness to make more time in our schedules for God. See the difference? Our overabundance often takes away our sense of how much we need God's presence. Other Christians in the world struggle to find a safe place to worship and pray. Meanwhile, we're in our pajamas deciding if we should stream service from the couch or the bed.
Stay blessed...john |
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