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I've often referred to this time in history as being a redo of the movie The Matrix, where everything is just illusion - life imitating art.

Lately, though, I think it feels more and more like being stuck in a fly-by-night roving carnival. Everything in the center looks lit up, exciting and colorful, even as everything behind the scenes is dismal and all too real.

The carnies bark their persuasions to "Come win a prize!" to the passersby even as they know the odds are definitely against those who are willing to give up their money to try to get a bullseye in a moving target or land a ring around a stick. They all know it's just a game. 

Here in carnie world, there is no topic or news so serious, even life altering, that cannot be interrupted by a commercial or a plea for funding. Example: the serious talking head reports a horrific school shooting, then the same voice shifts to a lighter tone to talk about a new product that will make your life so much easier.

Online sites offer information then either interrupt with a pop up window to ask you to subscribe to the site. "If you appreciate this work, donate today!" "We cannot keep doing this important mission without your help!" "My work is completely sponsor supported!"  

For me, the worst of the worst, are those who have turned Christianity into a lucrative business. Crazy me, somehow I do not think that is what Christ had in mind when He told the wealthy man to give up all he owned and follow Him.  Matthew 19:16-30

I have a lifelong memory from my youth of being with my mother as she ironed my father's dress shirts. I was occupied drawing, as I usually did, and she was listening to a broadcast on the radio. It was a preacher she liked, Brother Lester Roloff, who seemed to be a good man, at least in his down to earth preaching and missions.

On that day, however, he spent the entire 30 minutes weeping and begging for donations. He pleaded that he would be taken off the air if he did not raise a specific amount of money. 

As the sermon ended, without looking up I said, "If he preached about Jesus he wouldn't have to beg for money."  

After a long pause, I felt a sensation that my mother had stopped ironing so I glanced up to see her stunned expression looking down at me. Then she said, almost under her breath, "Out of the mouths of babes." I had no idea what that meant, at the time. 

Of course, as I grew up and read the words in Scripture, the moment was etched in my memory as it all came together. I think it established a boundary for me. Whenever I see humans, declaring themselves to be champions and bearers of the Gospel, even as they pause their mission to sell their products, books, CDs and art, as they amass great wealth in the process, I have to wonder what Jesus thinks. 

So, what brought all this to mind? 

I receive emails, multiple times a day, from all sorts of people whose words and thoughts I am interested in. Some are political, some are religious, most are doing what they do as their livelihoods. I guess I get that they solicit me for donations, on average, sometimes more than they give me information. Like all other citizens of the Matrix and visitor to the carnival, I find I am immune to the common phrases used to entice me to give up some of my money, which is a big tell in and of itself.

Recently I read a lengthy report recalling multiple miracles of Divine Intervention in an American Native Reservation due to the fervent prayers of several simple women. Fires, tornadoes out of nowhere, lightening strikes, all destroying properties of drug cartels, thus answering their prayers for God to “Command the works of the enemy to be destroyed.”

At the end of the collection of stories, the author concluded with  his plea for support of his ministry. Apparently they were $40,000 short of their 'goal'.

Talk about a buzz kill.

I could not help but recall that day I said a few words that struck my mother so profoundly, that caused her to see a tough truth as well as plant in me the seeds of critical discernment.

I wondered if the man who wrote the article about all those inexplicable miracles had not thought to get those women to pray for funding as well, would he have needed to beg for money from strangers?

I know that God wants His own to participate, to step up and be willing to put even our lives on the line for Him, but where is the line drawn between praying for His intervention, support and protection and turning the mission into a profitable business?

Since I cannot answer that, I can only ask that God guide me to to know the difference between His missions and man's missions. 

For Him,

Meema