The best thing in the world

In the UK recently, 1500 children under 10 were asked "What's the very best thing in the world?" Here are the top ten answers, starting with the most common answer:

1. Being a celebrity
2. Good looks
3. Being rich
4. Being healthy
5. Pop music
6. Families
7. Friends
8. Nice food
9. Watching films
10. Heaven/God

As I look at those results, I wonder about several things.
First, I wonder what our future holds in store for us. Although these are children from the UK, I can't imagine American children's answers would be much different. When being famous, looking good, and having money are the best things in the world, what does that do to our culture? Should celebrities have special treatment simply for being famous? What other values will be compromised to achieve fame? Are those who are less attractive, less wealthy, and unknown to be pushed aside for our personal gain?
I also wonder where the church is in the midst of this craziness. Have we become so self-absorbed in building our church buildings (which are often monuments to us as much or more than they are to God), creating flashy programs (which seem an awful lot like pop culture activities), and showing how "good" we are (by hiding our sins or being so "tolerant" that we ignore God's word), that we have missed out on being salt and light?
One last thing I wonder is if we realize the battle we are in. Now, I am not naive or myopic enough to say that this is the only "culture war" in the history of the church. Frankly, I am getting weary of the "End Times" folks who think this is all a sign that the end is near. Have you ever studied the history of the Roman Empire? I am not a expert in history, but I know enough to know that the church was in a culture war while Peter, Paul, and the other apostles still walked the earth.
While the end of time as we know it may be around the corner, that isn't the point. The point is that God has called us to be faithful regardless of the calendar. We are in a battle. It is a fight; and it's not just a fight to get people into heaven. It is a battle to take back the ground that was lost in the Garden of Eden.
Sin has brought self-centered and prideful darkness to this creation that was pure. And contrary to many Evangelicals, we are not called to board a ship to be taken away from this evil world. We are called to disembark in this world for a battle to bring God's grace and mercy. The call of Christ is a rescue mission, but our self-centered, individualistic society has trained us that the rescue is for the sole purpose of getting us out of this sin-filled, evil world. The real rescue mission is one that followers of the Christ are called to join in. We must go into the world and rescue those who are suffering.
We must rescue those who seek relief by intoxicating their bodies to dull the pain and hurt.
We must rescue those who seek relief by surrendering their bodies sexually to receive love and acceptance.
We must rescue those who seek relief in a few minutes of fame to mask their insecurities.
We must rescue those who seek relief in social status to hide their fears of inadequacy.
We must rescue those who seek relief in getting attention because they feel unloved
We must rescue those who seek relief in material wealth because they are poor in spirit.
We are surrounded by people in need of rescue. And if the truth be told, we are all still in a state of needing rescued. Not the kind of rescue that comes from shallow religion, strict doctrine, and pew-sitting Christianity. This is only the kind of rescue that comes from engaging in the work of the Kingdom of God and living out the mission of Jesus in each one of our lives. Now that's the best thing in the world to me.

shine!
Jason