BE LIKE JESUS

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2 New King James Version).

I’m sure many of us remember the commercial for Gatorade back in the 1990’s (I know, I’m somewhat dating myself here) with the tagline “I want to be like Mike”. This was an ad campaign pushing Gatorade which implied we could become as athletically successful as Michael Jordan by drinking it. I am not a Gatorade fan, but I remember how the catchy little jingle would get stuck in my head and I’d be singing right along with every commercial.

 Advertising is a great industry. It makes us think we need a big screen TV, how we absolutely can’t live without fabulous granite countertops in the kitchen, how we simply must have the totally rad new high tech gadget. Ad campaigns are great at hitting their target marketing groups. Just look at Christmas time when the toy commercials come out; our kids see and begin to create lists of “can’t live without it” items. Marketers have become skilled at telling us what we have is not good enough, that we just can’t be content with mediocrity and what we already have. More, more, more is their cry. More sales, more money, more target groups.

Imagination, books and creativity are not enough anymore; we have to have enhancements to assist and aid us in being creative. I love to color with crayons; I keep a box and a coloring book for when I need to relax and want to do something totally creative that reminds me of childhood rainy days. I have to hunt to find a simple coloring book; now there are activity books that not only include coloring pages, but dot to dots, word scrambles, fill-ins, and hosts of other “creative and educational enhancements.” All I want is a plain coloring book without all the extras.

God’s word tells us not to be conformed to this world. He says no matter how good the advertising is we don’t need all that’s out there. How do we know we don’t need it? By transforming our mind, and renewing it through reading His word. When we commit to reading Scripture we pray more effectively, align ourselves with His word, learn how to be content with what we have, and we are able to truly distinguish our wants from our needs. We are more fervent witnesses for Christ when we set the example of self-control and good stewardship. Is it easy? Not by any means, but a steady, consistent diet of the Holy Bible makes it easier because God is on our side, and He is faithful, loving, and longs to see us walk in His will.

As Christian followers we are different than the rest of the world. By becoming content and taking care of what God has entrusted to us, which is everything, we learn to trust God to help us learn our true wants from our true needs. We should want to be like Jesus, not Mike. We should be content with what we have and not fall victim to the latest advertising craze. Church, it’s time to differentiate ourselves from the rest of the world and say, quite simply, that we need and want Jesus!

Let’s Pray: Dear Sweet Heavenly Father, there is none so sweet and beautiful as You! You are our breath and our song, our food and our drink! You are our praise and we bow down in worship to You! You are all we need and You are the first of our wants. Father, draw us closer to You and draw closer to us! Cover us ever more with Your wings and surround us with Your presence. May we learn to be content with what You have blessed us with, may we learn to feed ourselves daily on Your Holy Word, may we listen to You when You speak to us about what we don’t have to have and what we do. Father, Spirit, Jesus, reveal Yourself to us more and more each day, in more and more ways. May we trust in You to provide our needs and teach us to be good stewards. May Your light shine through us and truly set us apart from this world. Renew and transform our minds. We give You all glory and praise! In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Today’s Attitude of Worship: Make a list of your wants and needs. Take 24 hours in which you avoid any type of advertisement and commercial break, this may be difficult but can be done. Instead of watching, reading or hearing the ads, read Scripture instead. After 24 hours, spend some time in prayer about your wants and needs list made the day before and then make another list of your wants and needs. What had God revealed to you about it?

Additional Scriptures: Philippians 4:11-12; 1 Timothy 6:6; Hebrews 13:5; Ephesians 5:1

Shalom,

Prudence