Pampered and Pacified

Author J.M. Barrie created the character that never wanted to grow up. Peter Pan, also the title of his famous book, did not want to become an adult and be forced to deal with all of the stress and struggles that came with the transformation. So Peter found his way to Neverland where, along with his lost boys, he could remain a carefree child forever. But those who know the story also know that carefree was not all that it promised for villainous Captain Hook constantly lurked around the corners, and then there was that tantalizing Wendy who stole Peter’s heart before he even knew what hit him.

Millions of Americans have seemed to follow in the footsteps of Peter Pan. We have become a nation that no longer values the virtues of adulthood: especially responsibility, strong work ethic, self-dependence, selflessness, and community awareness. You don’t have far to look in our American society before you see lost boys, and girls, running around everywhere. Grown men and women who want the government to take care of their every need, lazy employees who could care less if they provide competent services for decent wages, people who constantly blame others for their problems, people who are more concerned about getting what they want when they want it regardless of who they inconvenience, and entire communities of strangers who are afraid to interact with others.

We have become a nation that is satisfied with allowing our government to treat us as children. We want the government officials to act as our nannies. We want to live pampered lives, and, when anything goes wrong, we yell and scream until we are pacified. A very large portion of our populous has become spoiled rotten.

The sad thing is that this infantile behavior has taken root in many of our churches as well. Churches strive to provide five very important aspects for the Christian life: an opportunity to worship corporately as believers (responsibility); Spiritual training so you can become strong disciples for Christ (strong work ethic); sharing faith with others (turning self dependence into God dependence); resources so that you can join together to minister to the needs of others (selflessness); and a place to fellowship with other Christian believers (community awareness). We also can refer to these as worship, discipleship, evangelism/missions, ministry, and fellowship.

Too many Christians would rather emulate Peter Pan than Peter the disciple of Christ. Too many Christians would rather act like lost boys than like those who were lost but now are found. Too many Christians never want to grow up and be responsible for following God’s commands to worship Him, follow Him, serve Him, and share about Him. We have become a kingdom of children in Christ rather than a kingdom of warriors for Christ. It is time to put down your pacifier, quit complaining that you don’t get things your way at your church, and start suffering for the One who suffered for you. It is time to take off the pampers, put on the full armor of God, and stand among the ranks of men and women who are actively involved in the daily spiritual battle that rages on around you. Make the decision to put away childish things and become an adult willing to help others do the same.