Take the Long Way Home...

I have noticed lately that two words have pierced our postmodern vocabulary... "ON DEMAND."  With our current technology you can get nearly anything "on demand." Don't believe me...just take a quick look at the pictures below..

 

 

Is there anything that we cannot get "on demand?"  After all, the phrase, "there's an app for that" didn't just happen...it was guided by humanity's endless need for instant gratification (ever found yourself staring into the microwave thinking, "this is taking WAY too long!"). "On Demand" has become a way of life and is now beckoning believers to join the journey.

Unfortunately, churches have bought this mentality...that what the Kingdom of God needs to offer the world is "God on Demand" (hint God has always been there "on demand" it is called prayer!!). However, in our attempt to be "relevant" have have offered a less than biblical approach to salvation and discipleship where "on demand" tends to be something more akin to "as you wish" (remember The Princess Bride?) 

The problem is that is that following Jesus has NEVER been about ease, or comfort...it is NEVER "easy" to deny-self and to carry a cross (just ask Jesus!).

The New Testament talks frequently about "persevering" (the OPPOSITE) of "on demand." Paul reminds us that:
Love perseveres (1 Cor 13:7)
We are to persevere in life and doctrine (1 Tim 4:16)

James tells us:
Blessed is the one who perseveres (James chapter 1)
Blessed are those who HAVE persevered (James 5:11)

Even the Spirit praises the church in Ephesus:
"You have persevered and endured hardship...and not grown weary" (Rev 2:2)

But alas there is more... "you have forgotten your first love."

Love..by definition cannot be "on demand."  You cannot demand that someone love you (you can but it won't do any good!).  God cannot command us to love him and expect we will, like robots obey (you cannot offend free-will), and we cannot expect that God will love us "on demand" if we have not shown our lives to be willingly in submission to Him.

Yes we now live in an "on-demand" world, but followers of Jesus cannot allow this cultural trend to mandate our spiritual relationships...relationships take time to cultivate, navigate, and fulfill...on demand is fine if you want to watch a movie...but it will result in frustration if you expect to cultivate spiritual intimacy with the One who loves you most.  It was so well put by earlier "philosopher/musicians" Supertramp...back in the 80's when they said... "Take the Long Way Home!"

I believe...help my unbelief.