Our "Feel-Good" Generation

We are part of what I call the ‘feel-good generation’.

To many living in such a time, GOD has become almost irrelevant. In the age of unbelievable technological advancement, instant gratification, worldly knowledge – or the lack of it, powerful media influence and the abundance of mere opinion but lack of substance, all of us have our vision blinded to the truth and to God.  

Also, many of us live and act and make decisions based on mere EMOTION, on “how I feel”. No wonder the world’s a mess. If we’d entrust everything into God’s sovereign hands and not be overly swayed by shifty emotions – often affected by what others think, say or do, and by our fears & anxieties – we would very quickly uncover our purpose & destiny.

Sadly, we rely too much on our feelings, on our own human logic, on what others can offer us, on technology, on everything that’ll make life more convenient. So much so that even God has become a faraway, impersonal Being who exists or does not exist solely on the basis of our volatile emotions or thoughts.

Moreover, we believe what we LIKE to hear. Whatever suits our intentions, our lifestyle. Whatever makes us feel good and important and self-righteous. We plonk the title “Christian” on whatever idea or action that seems sufficiently virtuous or truthful – at least in our human eyes and opinion. But is that what Jesus did, taught and stood for? Being “Christian” is more than religion, tradition, rules and good works.

And among us who are believers in Christ, it seems that we’re just as much plagued by what the rest of the world waddles in.

“Day after day they seek Me out; they seem eager to know My ways… Yet on the day of fasting you do as you please. Is this the kind of fast I have chosen, only a day for a man to humble himself?”

Perhaps to grasp the context of these verses you should read Isaiah 58. God was speaking through Isaiah about the Israelites. The people seem like they want to know His ways and live right. Yet when it comes to doing what they say they believe, they end up doing as they please. Is this the kind of faith we’re on about: doing what suits us – only a one-off, one-day thing – to demonstrate a lil’ ‘godliness’?

We are under a subtle but corruptive deception. Lookin’ fine on the outside, but rotting and hollow on the inside. We maintain a ‘form of godliness’ but DENY ITS POWER. You often hear people say, “I feel that this verse is saying…” or “I look at it this way…” Well, all this makes good ol’ coffee-cup talk – or as the Bible calls it, “godless chatter” – but what matters truly, is how GOD sees it.

Everyone has a brilliant, intelligent-sounding opinion, but no one cares to know and listen to what God thinks and says. So ultimately we’re pathetically going round in circles, and yet still thinking that we’re very clever and ‘on track’.

Don’t be fooled. It occurred to me that the moment I so much as think that I am OK and without fault, it is immediately my downfall!

The Apostle Paul warned the Philippian church,  
“For many, of whom I have told you often and now tell you even weeping, that they LIVE as enemies of the cross of Christ:
whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame--who set their mind on earthly things.”

Philippians 3:18-19 (NKJV)

That’s our ultimately downfall. If all we see in this life is our studies, career, family, friends, car, house, money stashed in the bank, food, clothing, technology and what-not – then that’s ALL WE GET. Which, if you see in the bigger perspective God sees, is really nothing worth shouting about. If you don’t SEE BEYOND here and now, you’ve missed it all.

Paul declared, “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ.”

Philippians 3:20 (NKJV)

Having said all that about our feel-good generation, I must conclude that there’s nothing wrong with enjoying ourselves and pursuing the best in life! God wants us to enjoy the life He’s given. But only make sure you do so REMEMBERING YOUR CREATOR! Wise Solomon said, after writing many lines on the meaning of life:

¹² Of writing many books there is no end, and much study is wearisome to the flesh.
¹³ Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, FOR THIS IS MAN’S ALL.¹⁴ For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Ecclesiastes 12:12-14 (NKJV)

Solem Deum Timidus,

Janielle =)