As I was reading a local Christian magazine recently, the article which most caught my eye was about the trend of Christianity in America to lose it’s pervasive, regenerative influence and be reduced simply to a cultural and entertainment value-based choice. In other words, the pursuit of holiness is not at the core of belief in most people who call themselves Christians.

Here is part of the article:

Christian researcher George Barna has outlined what he considers his most significant findings for 2006. Although the majority of Americans claim to be “deeply spiritual” and say that their religious faith is “very important,” Barna found that only 15% of regular church attendees ranked their relationship with God as their top priority.

…According to the researcher, the latest survey statistics suggest Christians may be more attuned to matters of culture and entertainment than to matters of faith.

Well, I think this is absolutely true. And we should all take pause to consider if we are in the 85% group. As I think about the statements of this research I’m reminded how much we are bombarded with examples of wickedness, but rarely see examples of holiness. Therefore, it’s all the more important for me to pursue holiness!

Therefore, prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.” Since you call on a Father who judges each man’s work impartially, live your lives here as strangers in reverent fear. I Peter 1:13-17

I’m taking the reverent fear part to heart lately, here’s what I mean: Every day presents it’s challenges to trust Christ and choose to live by faith. For example, last Wednesday I never made it all the way to the offices at Calvary Miami Beach. I was about eight blocks away, riding my scooter, when someone decided at that moment it was really important to make a u-turn from the far right hand lane accross two lanes of traffic. I never had time to respond. It’s interesting how your brain processes events like accidents, there is a few split seconds where I have no idea how it looked to hit the car and fly over my handlebars. However, in that same time frame I inwardly realized that my helmet rapped the pavement and thought, “Wow, I think I just landed on my head! I’m glad I had a helmet on!” I’m fortunate to have walked away from the accident with only the most minor scrapes and bruises. Normal processes of thankfulness and awareness of God’s sovereign protection in stuff like this takes about a week, maybe more. But the very next day a department of Children’s and Families agency called to inform my wife, Heather and I that the case manager would be bringing a child to our home that evening! Hannah Jane arrived at 7:30pm, 12 weeks old. Several weeks back we said we would be interested in adopting if she became available (we were actually more interested in another baby at another agency, below). On Friday we went to pick up our 14 year old whom we mentor and spend the weekend with every so often. Along with him was supposed to be another teenage boy, but he decided not to come. Instead, the house helpers greeted us with diapers and formula, saying we were all ready to take 7 week old Abigail Rose, whom we’ve been trying to get placed as a foster child without much success!

It’s going to take a while to sort out all these events in light of maintaining personal holiness, but there’s one thing I know: reverent fear! I think John the Baptist is a pretty good example of someone who practiced personal holiness without becoming personally obsessed. When his friends informed him that his ministry was on the decline and that Jesus was taking over he replied, “A man can receive only what is given him from heaven.” You yourselves can testify that I said, ‘I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.’ The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him, and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and it is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:27-30

Amen.

Today I’m thanking God that He is making choices for my life and all I have to do is wait and listen for Him, and choose Him over valued-based-media-driven-faith-entertainment. I’ve got enough to entertain me for awhile!