Tuesday, March 1, 2011

This Week The Trend

Trends rule the Myspace Generation with an iron fist. The Americans my age live for the latest "big thing." Ugg boots used to be the biggest winter shoe. Crocs are still the most common summer shoe. Two years ago, the Jonas Brothers were the most important thing to girls agese 7-17. Now, a different JB has taken over the crazed girls: Justin Bieber. Likewise, Brittney Spears was the deemed dirty girl of the media. Now it's Lady Gaga. Four years ago, Myspace was the place to be. Now it's Facebook. Tiger Woods used to be the coolest, most dominating athlete in the world. Shaun White now wears that crown. Nanos are outdated thanks to the iTouch and iPhone. Hollister, A&F, and American Eagle are still the leading clothes stores.

There isn't a lot to hold on to these days. Trends change every week, every few months, or every year. So why even bother trying to keep up with the latest phone, fashion, car, or spouse? I know a guy who spends about a hundred bucks every other month on a new pair of shoes. What a waste of money on something he won't even use in a few months! It is such a shameful waste of money. He does it to look "cool", to stay "in." But to me, that seems shallow. I don't wear the clothes I wear to fit in. Yeah, I want to look cool, but I don't dress well for other people. I do it for me. All of my clothes are casual, but they look cool and nice. I wear them because I don't want to look like a slob. I enjoy looking nice and clean, but I don't wear my clothes to be popular. If wearing cool clothes is all that makes me popular, I would have more important things to look into than what I'm wearing; my choice of friends and self-confidence would likely need improving.

I don't see a reason for Christians to follow the trends. Jesus didn't tell His apostles to stay updated with the latest gossip on their iPhones or to dress their best to look cool or to wear the latest camel sandels. He told them to worry about greater things. Jesus warned that this world and all that was in it would pass away. When He told us to build our houses on the rock, He was saying to find your identity in Him, the Rock, and not on anything this world has to offer because it is just shifting sand.

Proverbs 10:25 says, "When the storm has swept away, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever." We are called to find our identity, our value, our worth not in the perishable things of this world but rather in the precious blood of Jesus Christ! 1 Peter 1:18-19 says, "For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life... but with the precious blood of Christ." If perishable things didn't save us, why live for them? The latest Hollister cologne didn't save you. The newest iPhone-even the Verizon one-didn't die for your sins. The latest Ugg boots, Hollywood star, mini-skirt line, girl heartthrob, or pair of shoes did not save you. Why live for them? Why give yourself to them? You'll get nothing in return. Live for Him! He died for you. He bled for You. He is the only thing worth giving your whole life to. 1 Peter 1:4 says we have an inheritance in heaven with Him that'll never perish, spoil, or fade. It won't perish. It won't spoil. It won't fade. Catch that? It won't fade! We'll love Him as much after 350 earth years in heaven as we did on Day One! How insanely awesome is that?! So again, why live for anything except for Him? Remember your inheritance in Him. Live for Him. It's the only thing that's worth it.

3 comments:

Random Videos Inc said...

Nice title ;)

I agree though. Why should we be focused on getting ahead in the world; keeping up with the trends is a waste of time. Especially since they will change every other day. It brings me back to James 3:14-15 which says:

"But suppose your hearts are jealous and bitter. Suppose you are concerned only about getting ahead. Don't brag about it. Don't say no to the truth. Wisdom like that doesn't come down from heaven. It belongs to the earth. It doesn't come from the Holy Spirit. It comes from the devil." (NIrV)

Ashley said...

Very convincing, emotional post. Bravo.

Daniel G said...

Aman, that is a sermon that needs to be preached from our pulpits, your so right