Like the majority, I also aspired to be rich, powerful, and famous.
Photo by Jose Saura
The society we lived on bombarded us with false ideas of “the great life.” Mainstream media always shows us stories of rich, famous, and successful celebrities, businessmen, politicians, scientists and even influencers. They took these extraordinary narratives, exaggerate it, and always write about it. Well, as we all know, these are the stories that makes the most money since it interests many.
However, the problem with these extraordinary stories is that it is not the actual reality. If they must be real, they only corresponds to the tiny fraction of society. The reality is that the world is composed of ordinary people living in a mundane world. The reality is that life at all is not extraordinary. And the true great life is not usually what culture and the media tell us deceitfully.
These false ideas of the great life have drastic effects. It has created a false measure of success. Young people were made to dream that success can only be achieved by being rich, or famous, or powerful. Otherwise, they are just nothing – ordinary people living unsuccessful lives. I may be wrong, but these false ideas may also be the reason of escalating depression and mental health issues. This is because our youth were being made to believe that he can only be successful by becoming rich, famous, or well-educated. But as they grew up, they were slapped by reality – not everyone can be that unless for some who were lucky.
I was once deceived by these false idea of the great life. Seeing Britney, Shakira, and Beyonce on TV, I once dreamed of becoming a celebrity like them. I also want to be applauded and admired by millions around the globe. I am obsessed with fame. However, I do not have a voice like Beyonce or hips like Shakira. Thus, I feel like a complete failure.
Nevertheless, I did not give up with achieving the false idea of the great life. I tried to excel in academics because I thought this was my key to become rich or famous at a future time. But, this is also a vain attempt. Education may give you a degree but it is not enough to give you bags of money. Hence, I felt so inadequate.
This made me question God. It made me wonder why the extraordinary individuals (i.e. celebrity, businessmen, etc) who are not living a godly life prosper, but the godly ones do not (except for some). It made me asked God why pop stars who are in scant clothing, drinking, or partying are more popular than the Christian gospel singers. It make me question why some shrewd businessmen makes more money than the honest merchants. Therefore, I was confused, if God is just, why would he let the wicked prosper and his people suffer?
I am thankful that God rebuked me. He led me to Psalms 73.
But as for me, my feet had almost slipped;
I had nearly lost my foothold.
For I envied the arrogant
when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.
This is what the wicked are like— always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.
When I tried to understand all this,
it troubled me deeply
till I entered the sanctuary of God;
then I understood their final destiny.
Surely you place them on slippery ground;
you cast them down to ruin.
How suddenly are they destroyed,
completely swept away by terrors!
They are like a dream when one awakes;
when you arise, Lord,
you will despise them as fantasies.
These verses hit me hard. Here I am envying the wicked without even thinking of their final destiny.
We must always remember that what we see in this world are just the surface, but nothing of the deep interior which is eternal life. Yes, the wicked and unbelievers may be enjoying their false idea of the great life. But, that is only ephemeral. We, Christians, however, may be living the ordinary and not so great life in the eyes of the world. But, do not be dismayed because this is also temporal. Living an ordinary eighty-year life in this world is nothing compared to the everlasting joy and eternal life we have in Christ.
Moreover, let us not forget that the Scripture has told us not to focus too much on this world. Instead, it tells us otherwise.
“Therefore, if you have been raised with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Keep thinking about things above, not things on the earth, 3 for you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God.”
-Colossians 3:1-3
So, never loathe if ever you are not enjoying the great life the world is full of. For this too are fleeting. But eternal life with Christ is everything. As the Scriptures said:
“If we died with him, we will also live with Him.
If we endure, we will also reign with Him.” – 2 Timothy 2:11.
Do not let this world deceive you. Do not let this world take this promise from you. Instead, choose eternal life. Choose Christ, even if it means being insignificant or a laughingstock in this world. Choose Christ, even if it means being unsuccessful in the world’s eyes. Choose Christ even if it means not living the great life by the world’s standard. Always remember, this world will end, but Christ will not. This world can only give you a temporary great life, but never an eternal life.
Therefore, focus our eyes to our final destiny which is the true great life – eternally living and reigning with Christ.