The Selfless Life: Something to Believe In

I remember when this song from Poison topped the charts back in 1990. In my estimation it's one of the great rock ballads because it's a song that illustrates reality. Simply put, people can identify with its message. After all, in a world that is broken by sin where evil and corruption abound, we all want to say, "Give me something to believe in..."

"Well I see him on the TV
Preachin' bout the promised lands
He tells me believe in Jesus
Steals the money from my hands

Some say he was a good man
Lord, I think he sinned, yeah

Twenty-two years of mental tears
Cries a suicidal Vietnam vet
Who fought a losing war on a foreign shore
To find his country didn't want him back

Their bullets took his best friend in Saigon
Our lawyers took his wife and kids, no regrets
In a time I don't remember
In a war he can't forget

He cried, "Forgive me for what I've done there
Cause I never meant the things I did."

Chorus:
And give me something to believe in
If there's a Lord above
And give me something to believe in
Oh, Lord arise"

A world where a preacher becomes more interested not in building God's kingdom, but in building his own kingdom. Instead of being known as an obedient follower of Jesus who portrays character and integrity, he is known as a liar and a thief. When our orthopraxy (what we do) is inconsistent with our orthodoxy (what we believe), it's no surprise that the world looks and says, "If that's Christianity then I don't want it!"

A world where a Vietnam veteran suffers from emotional distress and contemplates ending his life. Unfortunately, as many of our soldiers returned home from Vietnam there were protestors lining the streets hurling insults and spitting in their faces. Many felt abandoned by their own country. The irony is that the man (contemplating ending his life) was willing to give it on foreign soil to secure freedom for the very one's who rejected him.

Everyone wants something to believe in; something that is real; something that gives purpose and meaning to life; something that is the same at all times and for all people. Unfortunately, many search for it in drugs, alcohol, sex, relationships, money, materialism, etc. only to discover that it can't be found.

Jesus was rejected. He was insulted. He was spat upon. He died on a cross. He rose again. He is coming again. And, there are those who continue to reject Him. How about you? Do you believe?

"These have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name." John 20:31