The World vs. The Father

The World vs. The Father 

Don't love the world's ways.  Don't love the world's goods.

Love of the world squeezes out love for the Father.

Practically everything that goes on in the world -

wanting your own way, wanting everything for yourself,

wanting to appear important - has nothing to do with the Father.

1 John 2:15-16

The world has forever told young people that there is a certain way you must look, a certain way you must act, a certain amount of money and privilege that you must have, a certain amount of expensive gizmos that you must own.  The message handed out by the media and society is quite clear:  If you don't have these things or look the required way, you are NOTHING!  It is little wonder that many young people live lives of quiet despair that eventually erupt in actions that either harm themselves or those around them.

We adults are not immune to this syndrome either - constantly clawing and fighting to get, to own, to be.  John advises us to take a good, long look at our fascination with what the world thinks is a good life.  The Father offers us another way - a life of unconditional love and acceptance - knowing that we are loved and cherished.

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Lord, You are more precious than silver.

Lord, You are more costly than gold.

Lord, You are more beautiful than diamonds,

And nothing I desire compares with You.

The Faith We Sing No. 2065