"We were meant to be better." Well put Andrew. This sums it all up. It explains everything in my opinion. Even the happiest people have a constant sense of dissatisfaction. I think only Christians can see the depravity in mankind and yet still live a life of joy (a paraphrase of your words). We were made for more. I think we can get a glimpse of it this side of heaven. The longer I'm a Christian the more I long for what God has promised us in heaven. In the mean time, I will seek to live like Christ and enjoy what He has given me in this life. Keep up the good work!!!
And a pencil without a sharpener , is like a life without faith , no point .
Now you’er not going to be laughing uncontrollably at that one but it was written on a church notice board in large unmistakable lettering, by a busy high street the other day and it made me smile .
'What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.'
And really, that makes it all kind of funny.
After reading your previous letters, I have the new perspective that this passage can be looked at as comprehensive step-by-step instructions for joy.
I can see the late night TV infomercial already.
"ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING BLACK PILLED?!? ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING A HEDONIST?!? ARE YOU TIRED OF YOUR EMPTY CONSUMERIST MATERIALISM?!? WELL TIME IS SHORT! HAVE I GOT THE ANSWER FOR YOU!!!"
Now, if only I didn’t have this orange for a head…
What was the CS Lewis quote he shared in that episode?
"We were meant to be better." Well put Andrew. This sums it all up. It explains everything in my opinion. Even the happiest people have a constant sense of dissatisfaction. I think only Christians can see the depravity in mankind and yet still live a life of joy (a paraphrase of your words). We were made for more. I think we can get a glimpse of it this side of heaven. The longer I'm a Christian the more I long for what God has promised us in heaven. In the mean time, I will seek to live like Christ and enjoy what He has given me in this life. Keep up the good work!!!
I also often find joy in recognizing comedy in depravity.
To write a good joke you need a pencil
And a pencil without a sharpener , is like a life without faith , no point .
Now you’er not going to be laughing uncontrollably at that one but it was written on a church notice board in large unmistakable lettering, by a busy high street the other day and it made me smile .
Your letter brings to mind 1 Cor 7:29-31 (NIV)
'What I mean, brothers and sisters, is that the time is short. From now on those who have wives should live as if they do not; 30those who mourn, as if they did not; those who are happy, as if they were not; those who buy something, as if it were not theirs to keep; 31those who use the things of the world, as if not engrossed in them. For this world in its present form is passing away.'
And really, that makes it all kind of funny.
After reading your previous letters, I have the new perspective that this passage can be looked at as comprehensive step-by-step instructions for joy.
I can see the late night TV infomercial already.
"ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING BLACK PILLED?!? ARE YOU TIRED OF BEING A HEDONIST?!? ARE YOU TIRED OF YOUR EMPTY CONSUMERIST MATERIALISM?!? WELL TIME IS SHORT! HAVE I GOT THE ANSWER FOR YOU!!!"
Idk about you but I feel hunky dunky
Holy, without spot, healed, converted, sanctified, justified, redeemed, free, for you and me, laughing all the way home...
Meant for more, but we forget. Thank you!
"We know we were meant to be better", since we are made in the image of God. "...what was lost in us can be found again".
The way I understand comedy is that we pretend something absurd is meant to be.
And sometimes we can’t let go of a joke because we’re afraid the absurdity will materialize in the absence of ridicule.