Convenience has emerged as perhaps the most powerful force shaping our individual lives and our economies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tim Wu, The Tyranny of Convenience
In yesterday's TG, we discussed the merits (or lack thereof) of gift cards, and how effortless they are. We (ok, I) then drew a rough parallel between gift cards and God's gifts, which are readily available to us, merely by asking and receiving. In response, @dfechtman correctly pointed out that "we do have the birth [of Jesus], ministry, crucifixion, and Resurrection" standing behind God's Gifts. So while the Gifts are free to us, they were "purchased" with the currency of Divinity and Sacrifice.
It was that word "ministry" that grabbed my attention. In His ministry, Jesus did not tout "convenience" as one of the reasons to follow Him. His invitation to follow Him included a fundamental change. In summoning His disciples, He made it clear that they were to lay down their nets and become "fishers of men," by perpetuating His ministry after He was gone. There was nothing free or convenient about it. Tim Wu, quoted above, went on to say that convenience at its worst can become a "constraint on what we are willing to do."
They figured out what they were willing to do. What are we willing to do?
Blessings,
NT
Mark 10:21
In memory of Allen Jones, and with thanks to @dfechtman
~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Tim Wu, The Tyranny of Convenience
In yesterday's TG, we discussed the merits (or lack thereof) of gift cards, and how effortless they are. We (ok, I) then drew a rough parallel between gift cards and God's gifts, which are readily available to us, merely by asking and receiving. In response, @dfechtman correctly pointed out that "we do have the birth [of Jesus], ministry, crucifixion, and Resurrection" standing behind God's Gifts. So while the Gifts are free to us, they were "purchased" with the currency of Divinity and Sacrifice.
It was that word "ministry" that grabbed my attention. In His ministry, Jesus did not tout "convenience" as one of the reasons to follow Him. His invitation to follow Him included a fundamental change. In summoning His disciples, He made it clear that they were to lay down their nets and become "fishers of men," by perpetuating His ministry after He was gone. There was nothing free or convenient about it. Tim Wu, quoted above, went on to say that convenience at its worst can become a "constraint on what we are willing to do."
They figured out what they were willing to do. What are we willing to do?
Blessings,
NT
Mark 10:21
In memory of Allen Jones, and with thanks to @dfechtman
