As I continue to read Above All Earthly Pow’rs by David Wells, his insight continues to amaze me.
The above title is a paraphrase of something he said in his chapter on the “Veiled Nihilism of the Postmodern” (my words not his). I find this so interesting and convicting. How often to I through my material purchases, try to construct myself as something I am not? I try to “be” a certain person by dressing a certain way, which of course is determined by the clothing choice I make in a given purchase.
The real question is, “Am I cognizant of the ‘why’ of my purchase?” What is my heart in the purchasing of the next pair of shorts or the next big electronic gizmo? I own a MacBook. Did I do that for status or because of a need. If I did it for the latter, could I have purchased something cheaper to accomplish this need? (Side note: the reality is I am a tech junky, and have always been curious about Mac, that is my motive.)
The reality of my life as a Christian as defined by the Scriptures is that I am to be identified with Christ. It is found in the meaning of the word Christian. It is defined in Scripture:
Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ, I no longer live, it is Jesus Christ who now lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.”
All other attempts at fulfilling purpose and identity will fail in emptiness. It is only in Christ that one will find ultimate fulfillment.
