Skip to main content

Jesus of Suburbia

I confess, I am secretly in love with Green Day. Maybe it isn't as big of a secret as I think, but I must admit I am in love. I blame my brother. He is a huge fan of them, and before he started listening to them, I would always complain when their songs came on the radio. Not so much any more.
One of my favorite lines in their music goes, “The Jesus of Suburbia is a lie.” Whoa. The first time I heard that, I was stopped at a red light and forgot to go because I was so hung up on it. My first reaction was anger. Jesus lives! He works in my life, and I know He is the reason for the smile on my face. However, the more I thought about it, I realized that line holds incredible truth. The Jesus of Suburbia is safe. He is the Savior of the middle class, and he came to give them security and safety. He will guide them to material contentment. Not over the top, but just the basic toys. Their children will be on the honor roll, with the perfect clothes, the perfect grades, and the perfect friends. The Jesus of Suburbia promises them that 1950's picture perfect family.... What a load of garbage! Green Day got it correct when they called THAT Jesus a lie.
Jesus Christ is so much greater than that! He didn't come to make our lives secure, and give us what we think we need. No! He came to bring us freedom. He promises the forgiveness of sins. He pours His grace into us so we may be called children of God. We are His children! No promise of a white picket fence or a perfect life. In fact, we are promised more times than I can count that we will face troubles in this world. Our job is to bring glory to God in this life. Jesus did not come for a life of comfort, so why should we expect one?
My life is anything but the white picket fence. I live in Uganda, where so much heartache comes crashing down on me every day, and most of the time I feel so completely tapped out. Like if I give of myself to one more person I am going to break. I would not trade the life God gave me for anything in this world! He continually pours His everlasting grace into my life, in order for me to pour it back into those who need a piece. He allows the struggles of this world to come into my life so I may learn from His great wisdom. I want nothing else out of this life. I know my life will never be easy, and I love it! I love the adventure, and I love serving Him.

So yes, the Jesus of Suburbia is a lie. However, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is alive. He lowered Himself to this earth, so we may have salvation. He came to rescue this world. He will come again, and that is where our security exists. It isn't this life, but the hope in knowing Christ will come again for our rescue. Jesus lives, and He has my heart forever. Although not what Green Day intended I am sure, I am so thankful for this reminder.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

It's Been A Year... Now What?

What a crazy year! I never would have guessed that my year back in America would be crazier than my year in Africa, but alas, God moved mountains and worked through many situations that reveal what His will is in my life. Yet the biggest question I am asked, "When are you going back to Africa?" Well, I may finally have answers to that question. At the end of October, I traveled to Richmond Virginia to attend the International Conference on Missions (ICOM). My intention was networking, and network I did! If you have never been to ICOM, it is an experience you must try if you are even slightly interested in what God is doing around the world. Speakers from all around the world come and share about their ministry. Workshops are set up for different ministry strategies or on mission topics. My favorite aspect of ICOM are the booths of ministries from all around the globe. I love wandering for hours, meeting different missionaries and hearing their stories. I am always encouraged...
1 comment
Read more

State of Praise

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 reminds us to have a spirit of praise in all circumstances. It does not say to rejoice in the good, when ministry is smooth and all things are going the way you pictured them. Nor does it say to give up in times of struggle. It says to ALWAYS rejoice, to be in a spirit of praise through thick and thin! The past few weeks have been a battle. Living in Uganda means you are surrounded by images of poverty, brokenness, and death on a daily basis. That alone will encourage anyone to lose a spirit of praise. But of course, that is not all I deal with. Lately, it seems like everything is coming down at one time. Dear people in my life are struggling, including people back in the States. These are people who I use to be there to hold a hand through difficult times, and now they are going through something else and I am halfway around the world. A couple have confessed they wished I were there instead, and no matter how much ...
Post a Comment
Read more

A Life Long Commitment

When I came to Uganda the first time, God opened up my heart and mind in more ways than I can explain. The biggest lesson I learned was that God expects us to serve Him with all of our selves. No middle ground will do. It was this lesson that caused me to give myself completely to the will of God. I remember one afternoon sometime after I returned home, when I was struggling to find what I was suppose to do with my life. I laid my future down at His Throne, and I felt an overwhelming burden to go to the nations.... and well, there went my life! When you meet missionaries here in Jinja, one of the first questions asked is, “how long are you here for?” When they hear that I have committed a year, most respond with, “Oh that is a long time!” This then transitions us into the conversation about me wanting to do long term missions. I am surprised at the amount of people who say, “Yeah. Sounds like it! A year is pretty long term.” When that happens, I just shake my head, and change the su...
1 comment
Read more