Keeping up with the Joneses, I mean Jesus

I live in a town where everyone seems to feel the pressure of keeping up with the Joneses, if you’re not sure what that means, read here. It seems we’re all concerned about having enough, knowing enough, achieving enough, and looking the part.  And this can so easily be transferred to raising children.

A recent conversation with a friend reminded me of the dangers of this mentality.  We were talking about milestones we hoped our children would attain by certain ages-reading abilities, motor skills, social opportunities, etc.  And through the talk I realized that we hadn’t once mentioned growth in CHARACTER.

So much of our surrounding seems to demand growth and improvement from each of us.  And yet, this growth is rarely related to the issues of our heart, but instead to our income, our style, and our status.  We’re told that we’ve really arrived when we’re finally able to afford something, wear something, do something or know someone.

In the midst of all this improvement and attaining, I sometimes I have to put on some headphones, close my eyes, shut out the ads and the images and listen to myself think…..

• ‘Now what am I actually living for?’
• ‘What am I making my life about?’
• ‘Who do I actually want to become?’
• ‘What will happen when I ‘arrive’?’

In those moments, Jesus brings the voice of reason.  ‘Don’t keep up with the Joneses, keep up with me.’  In these days where everyone is striving to attain, I need the reminder that my goal in life is to become more like my Savior.

• Instead of wealth or comfort, I’ve been recreated to desire eternal riches that I’ll enjoy with my Savior and His church forever
• Instead of beauty, the current ‘look’ or the right wardrobe, I’ve been recreated to desire the clothing of Christ’s character-joy, peace, patience, kindness…you know the list
• Instead of popularity or status, I’ve been recreated to be content in God’s acceptance, granted to me through Christ’s death on my behalf.  And instead of looking for love in all the wrong places, I’m to give it to those who are searching
• Instead of desiring and working to have children that meet the criteria of ‘over achievers,’ I’ve been recreated to place the greatest importance on their knowing and loving Jesus above all earthly things

I love the old Caedmon’s Call song, ‘This world has nothing for me and this world has EVERYTHING.  All that I could want and NOTHING that I need.’

How do you deal with keeping up with the Joneses?  What practices help you remember to keep in step with Jesus instead?

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