Fast Food Nation; Even With Faith

Perhaps like me you have heard the term used often that we are a fast food nation?

We want satisfaction now and cheaply; quality be damned. It seems within the main stream of any area everything has been made for us to consume quickly and easily. If we have to wait more than a 2 minutes for our frozen microwave dinner we get mad and look for the one that can be cooked in a minute.

I'm not saying there is anything wrong with the ability to get what we need/want right away, just that we have been conditioned to live in a way that gets us everything quickly. We also feel entitled to theses things, ungrateful for them, and will pitch a Mantrum when our show takes more than a minute to load.

Here's a great video!

In all of these areas we have applied our fast food mentality to our spirituality. You may not agree with me, but think about it. Lets look at it through the context of traditional western church.

• We go to a building to "get" something.
• Generally most people will get upset if it takes too long to "get" what they came for.
• If they don't "get" what they came for? "We'll just go somewhere else."
• We want what we came for to be easy to digest, make us feel good, and not require any work from us.
• And if we have children we want them to throw in a "toy" for the kids though children's ministry.

Why does this happen? A few reasons.  One of which we are a "fast food nation" of consumers. The other is we equate head knowledge with tangible Kingdom value.  A lot of us want someone to do the hard work of going to seminary, learning Greek and Hebrew then giving us a message that makes us feel good.

We want people to tell us what to think about God and how to live for him.
We want other people to teach our kids about life, the world, and religion. Or, spirituality for those of you who are not "religious." (Even though you are....)

Here's what it all boils down to. It is our job to educate ourselves about, you name it. It's our job to teach our children. (I'm not devaluing school or children's ministry.) It's your job to be actively involved in your spirituality.

In short; we value what we have put effort, time, money, and energy into. Don't look for things to be easier but look to be better. Things worthwhile come from time and labor and yes, maybe some sweat and tears.

Sure, you can get a burger for a buck at Wendie's in 2 minutes, but don't you enjoy the burger a bit more when you make it yourself at home with just the right ingredients? 

Fast-food and fast spirituality does not satisfy because it's crap. (I have partaken in both.)

Go for the good stuff. The homegrown, all organic stuff that was made with love and yes, labor. It will go well with you!

Are you tired of fast_________?