Satisfaction
I am a big fan of plastic surgery- when it is medically necessary and when it works. By medically necessary, I mean that some people need entirely justifiable, corrective measures taken which can be performed by a board-certified plastic surgeon. By “working,” I mean that the surgery should make improvements to the appearance or functionality of the individual. Speaking purely from observation, neither of these seems to be true much of the time. While I do not wish to deprive anyone of free will, it is not apparent to me that mere vanity or “tinkering” meet the burden of proof.
In a culture of restlessness and discontent, we have become victims of our own relentless pursuit of perfection. We can’t leave well-enough alone, even when it means dissection and mutilation. Lessened faith and over-introspection have taken a toll on us. We are not more-than, we are less-than. Can anyone seriously argue that a great many “advancements” of the age have not led to a net loss? We are more learned but less human. While we have improved the quality of our goods, we have not improved the quality of our lives. Our lives have, indeed, become commodities themselves- even consumables.
Consumables are things which are used and then of no more use. They are consumed. While these things serve a purpose, our lives are meant to be more than that. Good looks are OK if you’ve got ‘em, and they’re working for you, but physical beauty is nothing in God’s sight. It’s superficial. It doesn’t really mean anything. In the end, it’s empty. Paul warned us not to pursue physical attractiveness as a virtue, but we live in a society that is dedicated to what’s right on top. So, we place all the emphasis on gilding the rose, clean up the outside and forget that God made us eternal beings capable of much more than that.
In the golf movie, Tin Cup, Kevin Costner is fond of saying (of golf), “Perfection is unattainable.” That thought is not original to him. Much of the Bible is devoted to expounding through instruction and example the weakness of man. Even the great apostle Paul was heartbroken over his failures in the midst of sincere Christianity. We can’t get it right. Not we don’t (though that is true) - we can’t. Not one is righteous. Not even one. We are capable of doing our best and impacting eternity, but we are not capable of attaining the righteousness of God. Fortunately, grace is given to us as we pursue eternal goals.
The lesson for us is that we should occupy our time with the things that count for eternity. A part of this is being satisfied with what we have outwardly so that our focus is on inward things that matter to God. Our service then becomes to Christ and others rather than ourselves. The resulting life is a thing of beauty that emanates from the well of living water that springs inside the believer. Striving, albeit imperfectly, for attainment in the eternal is enjoyable and satisfying while reaching a temporal goal is fading and frustrating. The one receives grace for the effort and the other condemnation for the failed attempt.
Sterl
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