My New Horizons

I can still remember lifting weights with a high school buddy (why I was lifting weights I can’t imagine) and hearing Janet Jackson’s single “What Have You Done For Me Lately?” blaring over the loud speakers along with other hits from 1986.  I was never a Janet fan, but apparently she did quite well with her R&B single.  She gained two Grammy nominations for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance.  Honestly, I can’t think of much else I know about Jackson except her Super Bowl appearance a few years ago.  But apparently her guy stood her up and out came this tune about why he wasn’t doing anything of significance for her anymore.  I think one reason why the song did so well is because there are so many folks in our world today asking that same thing about their “significant others” and really of society as a whole.  People everywhere are shaking their fists and demanding, “Why isn’t she/he making me feel good?”  or “why isn’t the government taking care of my needs?” or “why isn’t the Church being more relevant for Me?”  After all, didn’t Burger King promise to “Do it our Way.”  Check out MeChurch

Some believe the problem is just a generational thing.  While driving back from a hospital visit last night I listened to a program on National Public Radio discussing generational relationships and a “Gen. X” expert talked about how many folks in that age bracket were still angry with their Baby Boomer parents and their self-indulgence.  While I don’t consider myself to be in either one of those camps (born in 69) I can see some validity in the young man’s complaint.  I’ve run into so many people who grew up with the self-gratification of Woodstock and are now living only to make it to a posh retirement.  (Don’t bother me, it’s my stuff) But it’s not just the Baby Boomers.  I’ve also witnessed younger generations who are quite willing to serve others; if they can get something out of it even if it’s nothing more than a greater sense of self-awareness.  (We’re helping that starving kid in Africa and we sure feel good about ourselves now)

No, I think the issue is more than date or place of birth.  While we are to some extent products of our generation, the problem seems to be deeper.  There is a selfishness in all of us that needs to be dealt with.  I’m enjoying our series on “Life on Purpose”.  But a danger to this great topic is that we can become totally self-absorbed in our own pursuit of mission and fulfillment.  One of the problems with the Gen. X-ers is that they have been given a lot of stuff, but no purpose.  So finding a reason for our existence is good.  But when we totally focus on us and our purpose, we actually lose it.  Real purpose, on the other hand will be found in sacrifice, which is actually something the Builder Generation knew a little bit about.  They sacrificed for a greater cause than themselves.  There’s something to that.  It was Christ who said of himself that “even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many.”  (Mark 10:12)  Service, now that’s a word that we all like, except when it’s our doing the service.  But that was at the heart of Jesus Christ and his purpose.  His ultimate act of service was of course dying on the cross for our sin.  It was because of His sacrifice, His Service; that we can be free and have purpose.  As we move into week three of our four part series this Sunday, we’ll be looking at “Living to Give in a World of Take.”  In order for us to completely embrace our God given identities, we’ll all have to ask “what is it that God has created us to do for others?”  The question now becomes, “what is it that I can do for others now”, instead of “what has Janet’s boy friend done for her lately.”  What are some ways that we can serve others now in our own community and around the world?

By the way, thanks Keith and Tana for the Keith Green song yesterday.  It was great.