Hope Doesn't Come in a Jar

When I received an email from drugstore.com proclaiming, "Get a FREE full-size hope in a jar ($38 value!) when you spend $75 on philosophy," I had to laugh at its unintentional absurdity.

But sadly, I think that statement captures some widely-held attitudes in our society.  We're a materialist culture, and I mean that in both senses of the word:  First, when nothing exists beyond the material world, the deeper things of life are devalued and/or reduced to the physical; and second, this means that the deeper things of life can be bought and sold.  We purchase happiness and meaning, or at least, that's what we're working to do. 

The person who spends $75 on "philosophy" and still isn't satisfied, doesn't suffer too much.  He still has hope.  Surely he just needs a little bit more.  But imagine the despair of those who have already bought a thousand jars of $38 hope and finally realized that what they really want is far more valuable and doesn't seem to be for sale.

Recently, when a successful actor attempted suicide, I listened to a pair of radio talk show hosts try to figure out how this could happen.  Their discussion wasn't just amused banter; they were genuinely dumbfounded.  After all, the actor had fame, wealth, a great career, and beautiful women.  Since there's nothing else to life, this literally made no sense to them.

After hearing this, the heartbreaking verses of Romans 3:16-17 about people who do not know God kept running through my mind over and over:  "Destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known."

What a treasure we have in Christ!  We have been reconciled to the God of the universe and share in His peace and joy regardless of our wealth or position in the world.  But how many in our culture don't know Jesus--His glory, love, and forgiveness--and what a weighty and urgent responsibility we have to tell them!  You who visit Stand to Reason often, never forget why we exist.  We don't intend for you to only satisfy yourself with information; you must be an active ambassador, finding those who are trapped in destruction and misery and bringing to them the truth about--and reality of--God.  They need amazing grace...and I don't mean the shampoo.

Comments

[Sam]

I wonder how many people commit suicide, not because of dispair, but because they're on the top of the world and want to end things on a good note, quit while they're ahead.