Completely Disillusioned
Check me on this—am I right? A disillusioned generation should be ready and waiting for something that is substantial and true.
Our culture acts like a disillusioned person is the worst thing in the world. Is it? What do you think? If you remove all of the things in a person’s life that are not real-that are only illusion—have you removed anything substantial?
I would contend that it should be our prayer that everyone would be completely disillusioned. Myths and fantasies and fairy tales all have value if they point to something that is real, established, true, and beautiful. They should not be used as a substitute for truth.
Lord, have mercy and disillusion us all!
Am I right? Is that a good prayer?
What about all of those people who say that they have been disillusioned by the Church? Perhaps this is a good thing! If somewhere along the way, they were taught things that were not true about Christ and his Church and they have discovered that it was false and unreliable then being disillusioned has brought them one step closer to Christ! There is no deceit in Jesus. There are no empty promises. No hypocrisy. No illusion. He is real and so are the gifts of forgiveness, life, and salvation that he brings to us through his Word and Sacraments.
If our culture is fed up with illusions, empty promises, failed plans, and broken systems…if they are starving for something substantial then it is the perfect time for us to give them The Bread of Life.
In the same way, understand that the Church is not immune to illusions. We must be ready to repent of the false and unreliable teachings and practices that have found there way into our midst. Clean house!
We can only be disillusioned by what is false. The truth gives hope. The truth give faith a place to rest secure. Thanks be to Jesus, truth is beautiful!
Our culture is being disillusioned. As the “smoke clears” and the “mirrors are removed” let the American people see more than just the reality of sin, death, and brokenness. Let them see their Savior, the crucified One, the risen and ascended Lord, the world’s redeemer, Jesus Christ.
In His Grace,
Pastor Wiist