Consumerism

This week in our class we looked at lots of different aspects of consumerism and how they affect people today. The questions was kindof phrased as so: 'Is the need for consumerism something that is brought on by the media or is it natural for humans to want?'
My first thought? Great Question!
Basic instinct told me that the answer was completely natural. Sure, media has some influence but it all comes down to the fact that we all have an innate desire to want more than what we already have.
My second though was - sin.
Yes, I said it. S-I-N.
The sin of greed and unthankfulness and covetousness.
These three things remind me, constantly, that I am not perfect.

They remind me that I am a sinner.
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And so I came away from the many forums I had to post on and talk about with a very clear picture of how depraved we as humans are. And how hungry I am, at times, for what the world says is right and good and best. The world says that I need a new car, that I need better clothing, that I need the latest home decorations. What is wrong with this picture? I don't need a new car, I have a great car that runs smoothly...though it isn't pretty. Sure, I don't have designer clothing, but atleast I have something to wear. And yes - having nice things in a home is good but is certainly not essential for better living. None of this is what we really need. Though the world would say quite the contrary. For some reason, we esteem celebrities and wealthy people as our "status" of how to live. But there "status" is merely for instant, immediate and speedy satisfaction for hearts that ache for so much more.
Certainly, I am no wiz in psychology or philosophy or sociology or any other -ology.
But I have found satisfaction.

And that satisfaction is found in nothing of this world.

But is found in a personal relationship Jesus Christ, God's own Son.

It's no joke.

I have no fear of death, no earthly want - because I know that my life is hidden in Christ and only He can satisfy the deepest longings, needs and wants of my heart and soul.

Cars will die. Clothing will wear and tear. Homes will be destroyed.

But Christ still remains and His love will never fade away.

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"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? ... for I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to seperate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:35,38-39

"But God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8

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And in the end, the end is

Oceans and oceans

Of love and love again

We'll see how the tears that have fallen

Were caught in the palms

Of the Giver of love and the Lover of all

And we'll look back on these tears as old tales'

Cause after the last tear falls

There is love

-Andrew Peterson