[The Shepherd’s Echo is a reposting of a previously published TheShepherdsPen.]
In years past, it seems as though when you desired to purchase a product you were simply purchasing a pair of sneakers, a hamburger, or maybe a record album. Over the years, we see that has changed drastically. Whether it’s a recording artist, an apparel venture, an internet concern, restaurant, or construction company, etc. it seems that there is an additional “gift” with purchase; it is an agenda. Every company, or group has an ethos they seek to push. Every single company or person is promoting something else besides the inherent product we think we are buying.
The press is not exempt either. More and more “news” pieces are nothing more than op-eds, or rants under the guise of journalism, yet intended to impose an agenda as well. (For that matter journalism itself is dying if it is not dead already…but that is another article altogether-The Toxic Drip of Propaganda?). Let’s move on!
Today, it seems you have to decide your political affiliation, and your “to-die-for” causes before you buy that ballpoint pen, or chicken sandwich. Now, one must be thoroughly calculating, and ready to cross picket lines in order to demonstrate their capitalistic resolves.
The social climate is bubbling; tensions are mounting; everybody is on high alert to defend their precious ground. A mob mentality is overtaking this land, one in which people resort to bullying, or shaming, manipulation or deceit in addition to the good old time-tested techniques of name-calling and threats. Both sides of the political aisle.
“Would you like a side of totalitarianism with that order of fries.” “Can I get you some geo-political foil for your head along with that vote for senator?”
Any promoted postures of neutrality are feigned; we all have an agenda.
The truth is we have always had agendas…and we always will.
At the core, we are people, people with opinions. We embrace values, causes, and passions. And our desire, intentional or otherwise, is to foist those upon those around us.
Agendas of the world are social justice, global warming, absolute equality, greed, free will, pleasure, hedonism, just to name a few.
The agenda of Hell (Satan) is to steal, kill and destroy.
Even Christian periodicals have a political agenda.
The divine agenda revealed by Christ was to seek and save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).
The agenda of the church in addition to the Shema, according to Christ, is the Great Commission – to make disciples.
Yes, there is a deluge of agendas a-swirling! Ready to knock us down and around, and to the ground.
Each day I have the opportunity to enter the world stuffed to the brim with opinions. The question is what will be my top agenda for the day. Why has God given me breath today?
God has given you and me HIS agenda.
Love God!
Love others!
Jesus spoke these very thoughts when approached by a scribe who asked Him, “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?”
The response was a beautiful distillation of the Ten Commandments:
“‘YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, AND WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR MIND.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF.’ On these two commandments depend the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:37-40).
There is no better way to spend your time, than engaging relationally. Entirely. Tirelessly. Seems like our agenda should be to encourage others to do the same.
Time will tell. Many agendas are passing fads. Something new will capture the fickle hearts of the world tomorrow.
First and foremost, I am a Christian; God, help me to graciously communicate your agenda.
So, what is on your agenda today?
