And of course, that sounds like a really really good thing that I could totally get behind. I mean, encouraging believers to get off their keesters and start doing something for the Kingdom of God? Beautiful. Wonderful. And bringing those acts to light for the rest of the Body to witness? Encouraging. Inspiring. Three years ago I would have immediately linked to their site, ordered the DVD, read all of their organization-related literature, and have already set about making homemade Tshirts with their name and slogan on them in sloppy handwriting. I’d have driven my sister crazy by beginning all my sentences with “The people at Broken Voices say. . . ” and my brother to distraction by ending all my explanations with “. . . at least that’s what they say at Broken Voices.” But I find myself changed. I’m much slower in my patronage.

I’ll freely admit that I probably have not learned enough about the entirety of this site to critique it with a great deal of authority. I have not been to a “Your Life Matters” seminar,  I have not had a “home screening”. But I notice something missing that I think is key in any sort of movement that purports God as it’s inspiration: a belief system.

I don’t mean to grouse about this organization in particular. I don’t know that it is especially absent a statement of faith more than any other of the same type. I use it as an example. The views expressed seem to indicate a group that is proactive and aspiring,  one that wants to introduce people to a higher purpose, and to try and make the world a better place. But I wonder, Is that really our ultimate goal? Is that really what God asks?

Serving others is a blessed thing, and a difficult one. Trying to improve the world that we live in, which is so rife with turmoil and tragedy is a noble aspiration. Assisting others in recognizing that they have been specifically equipped of God with a plan in mind is comforting and empowering. But none of these things get to the root of why we are here and what our actual purpose is. The purpose of our lives is to serve God and keep his commandments (1). And the reason we do this is not to serve other people, although by doing these things, we will.And it isn’t to make the world a better place, although it does. And it isn’t to let people know that there’s a reason why they’re here, although there is. The reason that we are here and equipped and set about the tasks and gifted with the talents of our lives is merely to bring glory to the name of God (2).

It’s a difference in perspective. It’s an alteration of motivation. It seems like something that need not even be explained because it should be implied. But unless it is explained, it can’t be assumed.

(1). Ecc. 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

(2.) Matt 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.

II Thess. 1:11-12 Therefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and ye in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I Pet. 4:11 If any man speak, let him speak according to the oracles of God. If any man minister, let him do it according to the ability which God giveth, that God in all things may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be praise and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.

I Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

Not that there’s anything wrong with being obsessed with Jesus. I mean, as the bride waiting for her groom, it makes sense to be overwhelmed with thoughts of the Beloved. But the Jesus-bot is different. It’s a robotic version of love, or so it seems to me. Who knows? Maybe I’m wrong.

But . . .

I’ve read blogs and social networks that are geared towards Christians, and it’s wonderful that there exist places where Christians can come together and express themselves. Great. Fabulous. I may even go so far as to say, “awesome”. In fact, I just did. But the problem is that as I read through these posts, I see nothing of the specialised idiosyncrasies that make us each individual and gear us towards our own particular ministries. Am I being too picky?

I feel like I don’t get a sense of who these people are. People I read seven long paragraphs by on why women should or shouldn’t be preachers. People who talk about how difficult their relationship is between them and their significant other and all they say is “love is so hard,” and “then I realized” and “now everything is great!” I just want to cyber shake them and say, Who the swear word ARE you?!

Putting God above all others is good. Making God more important than yourself is good. But does that mean that we have to completely disregard ourselves? Or not disregard ourselves, but pretend our selves don’t exist. Sometimes it seems that in Christian communities, we get sterilyzed. Why is that? How can we relate to a world that is fallen if we can’t admit to being human? And how can we be authentic  with the outside community if we can’t even be authentic within the fellowship of our Christian family?

I don’t mean to say that we admit our humanity by not trying consistently to improve and become more and more like Jesus. I don’t believe in that whole “all things are lawful” brand of young Christianity that allows the redeemed to be virutally indistinguishable from those who are still lost. But it seems to me as I read the gospels that Jesus himself was very expressive. Peter and Paul both had very distinct personalities and you can see them plainly as you read the books they penned. They were able to teach and spread the gospel without being blank. Can’t we try to do the same?