I was asked today in a ministry preparation class (which I was on the panel), what is your biggest discouragement/challenges in your area of ministry. I replied, "Consumerism in the culture and in the church". Western societies produce fully discipled consumers. Yes, consumerism actually disciples us. A person discipled on consumerism believes that they hold a plethora of seductive chalices in their own hands . . .and the more consumed, the better our lives. In stark contrast, Jesus Christ says there is but one cup we must drink from, and he holds the cup. The concoction in the cup? Absolute allegiance to Himself and a willingness to follow His path to the cross. He offers this cup to James and John near the end of his life. Jesus tells the brothers that he must drink of this cup, and his disciples must follow suit. He asks the bold Son's of Thunder, "Can you drink the cup that I drink from?" A daunting question. The two powerful men don't realize what's in the cup Jesus offers. You see, Jesus assumes that his disciples will drink from the same cup that he drinks. Today's dilemma is that the idol of consumerism also holds out many available cups, filled to the brim with promises that satiate our personal needs and desires. So, we are in a battle. A battle of deciding who is discipling us. . .A battle of what cup we will consume. Whose cup are you drinking from? Jesus' cup or the cultures cup? Both want your allegiance, yet you cannot proclaim loyalty to both. Both are seeking to make you their apprentice . . .to drink their concoction.

Are you willing to drink His cup?

Take a minute to watch this video by Allen Hirsch. It's only about 2 1/2 minutes and is about disciple-making and consumerism. Challenging and good.