Hunting for Tickles? Hum...Sounds Interesting...

"I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths. But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry."

-2 Timothy 4:1-5

Satisfaction

Literally, satisfaction is that which is felt to be owed or due to one, according to the Oxford American Dictionary. What I find curious about this word is that we actually think that we deserve something. We feel that some form of pleasure or ease is due to us.

Now, sad as it may sound, we are not due anything other than the fires of Hell. We seem to forget that even the fact that we are breathing is a magnificent gift from God. I love how Paul brings closure to this topic by reminding us that our purpose is to be an "evangelist," or a spreader of the good news. When we acknowledge this truth and live accordingly, we therein humble ourselves and realize how truly little we are before God. Notice that he places an interesting statement in between his edification of the believers. He does not say, do your part and they will listen. No, he eloquently describes them as searching for the tickle, i.e: satisfaction, of false truths.
I often observe this "tickle hunt" and am greatly saddened by it. Due to this, it is necessary that I fulfill my purpose and be a living example of what I know is the one infallible truth. If, by doing this task, I was able to awaken only one person to life, I would find true satisfaction: the satisfaction that comes from being welcomed into Heaven by a God who crowns me with a crown of righteousness and says, "Well done, My good and faithful servant." I want God to see the efficacious result of my life and be glorified. There is no greater act than to bring praise and glory to Him, let my life continually reflect that truth.

For His Glory,

Pete

The Wisest of the Unintelligent

"For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes's and Jambres's folly was also."

- 2 Timothy 3:6-9

Stubborn

I've seen it before, that subtle glare of the eyes; that empty stare of disregard. Why do they even bother? They, as Paul says, will never understand. They allow the lessons to be spoken over them, yet comprehend little of them. I cringe at the mere thought of such vigilant apathy. They are indeed led by various impulses. They subconsciously support the continuation of pop culture.
It is at this point that I stop and think. I used to be one of them. I remember sitting through countless sermons and just thinking: "Why in the Hell do I need to hear this? I don't care! Can't they see how bored I am?" Some people say that we study the past to prevent it from repeating itself. I wonder why, then, this has not been applied to understanding the youth of our generation. If I could simply grasp that one thing that had made me reconsider this whole "religion thing," then perhaps I could understand why they stare with that horrible glare.
Returning to the passage, I fear that I have, at times, reverted to the type of faith described. I find that I constantly have to find a quiet room and worship God with the fear and trembling that I often forget or do not care for. Is it them that is apathetic, or is it me? I say that they are stubborn, yet I stubbornly am on and off with my faith, not knowing whether or not I truly desire for it to be continuously "on".
If there is anything that brings me back to the correct understanding of Faith, it is my times of worship with God. Nothing can prevent me from remembering once I begin to worship. I feel that this is why it is so essential that the youth of my generation are led into a real, meaningful time of worship. I fear that it is not always apathetic hearts that are to blame, but the leadership and volunteer teams that fail to grasp the message as well. This, however, does not excuse those who truly are apathetic. I cannot help but feel that one of a youth group's largest problems is its misguided and ill-focused leaders. I hope, desperately hope, that the church I am currently working with will embrace this truth: that the example set is often mirrored in the outcome.

For His Glory,
Pete