What Do Christians Want?

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Life in Christ. It sounds pretty good: communion with God, love for others, even for our enemies, even unto death. All creation in harmony around us, as responsive and fruitful as the Garden was to Adam and Eve. The peace that passes understanding informs our every thought.

So why are we doing such a crummy job of it?

Why are we modern Christians so undistinguishable from the world? Why are our rates of dysfunction and heart-break just as high?

How come Christians who lived in times of bloody persecution were so heroic, while we who live in safety are fretful and pudgy?

How could the earlier saints "pray constantly," while our minds dawdle over trivialities?

How could they fast so valiantly, and we feel deprived if there's no cookie at the end of the in-flight meal?

How could the martyrs forgive their torturers, but my friend's success makes me pouty?

What did previous generations of Christians know that we don't?

A modern Christian may well feel perplexed by these questions. We think, "But we know what the answer has to be: Jesus is the answer." So we try each day better to love and follow him, and yet the life we lead would not readily be described as "victorious." To tell the truth, we don't even attempt anything that strenuous. We know we can't do it. So we do the best we can, getting by, sometimes befuddled and disappointed, turning to God for consolation.

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