When my son, Abe, was younger I remember watching Pixar's under-rated Wall-E together. In the story, we see mankind hundreds of years in the future consumed by consumerism. Everyone spends their lives in their Hover Chair while a company called Buy n Large (BnL) gives them everything they think they need - which BnL markets to them at every turn.  While much of the movie's commentary went right over Abe's head at the time, I felt strongly about the idea of consumerism and I wanted to try to paint him a word picture and establish some perspective for him.

I told Abe that the world is FULL of consumers - like Wall-E's John and Mary - who live their lives at the mercy of the world's producers - like BnL. They enjoy only what's been produced for them. So they're sold the idea that what the producers create is exactly what they need and is exactly what will make them happy.

In fact, the only thing that will make them happier is the NEXT thing the producers create.

And I told Abe, people like he and I? We're producers. Not so that we can control others, but so that we're not under other's control. We're creators. Created by God, in his image, as creators.

And we should create ideas and spaces and moments that allow everyone to know how much they are loved. Ideas and spaces and moments that make people feel valued and worthy and worthwhile.

Jesus did.

In scripture, we don’t read much about what Jesus ate. But we read an awful lot about how he fed people. I wonder if there’s a message in there about how we should approach our faith and our church life.

His ministry and teachings are filled with banquets, mass feedings, wheat snacks, fish fries, and sacred observances around a bite of bread and a sip of wine.

Jesus was ALWAYS feeding.

We, on the other hand, tend to focus on what we can consume. Where can we be fed? Where can we be entertained? Where can we be thrilled? Which way to the buffet?! An endless and boundless parade of conferences, concerts, and carnivals. We're like John and Mary scooting around on our Hover Chairs lining up for the next meal.

But Jesus, He was always feeding others. Always providing for others. Up to, and including, his complete self.

Jesus said, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry. And whoever believes in me will never be thirsty." (John 6:35 NIRV)

I want to follow THAT way. Not gorging myself at the all-you-can-eat buffets of the modern church. But focusing my attention outward (and backward); giving everyone a chance to sit at the table of the Lord to know the fullness of joy and satisfaction of hope I’ve found in him.

A provider, not a consumer.

Don't you? Let's live our faith that way. Let's do church that way.

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Praying for God's grace and peace in your life,

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