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You Could Look Like …

Then He said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.” Luke 12:15

The good life that advertisements offer is all about owning more and more. But it’s a trap. Any ad that says ‘Your hair could look like this!’ is playing on your insecurity and sense of guilt. Listen up: there’s an underlying message that says ‘you’re not good enough, and we’ll make you better.’

Jesus calls out something totally different to the world’s consumer choices. He just breezes right past the question of ‘how much stuff is enough’. Life for Him is about getting a tight grip on your desires, and putting them in their right place. ‘Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail.’ Luke 12:32-33

A life of listening to advertisements will get crushingly oppressive for your sense of worth. John Piper said, ‘If the heart is satisfied with all that God is for us in Jesus, the power of sin (or ads) to lure us away from the wisdom of Christ is broken.’ Well, if God really is pleased to offer you a different way of life, even in tiny things, ask Him what it is! If He really has something better than the treadmill of buying stuff, try finding out what it might be.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, help me not be caught up in the lure of what the world says will make me happy, but have a heart shaped by You that gives me Your peace and joy. In Jesus’ Name, Amen