Here’s the thing about Christianity: The charge has been primarily led by men. Pastors, mostly males, set most of what we believe about God and the Christian life. Unfortunately, men tend to be fixers. We don’t like things we can’t hammer, tighten, or duct tape. We like the quick fix.
But life doesn’t really work that way. Yes, there are stories of people being healed immediately. Some people have found freedom from their vices through instant change. However, the majority of us have to continually fight and work at the Christian life. That’s actually the norm.
And there aren’t really simply solutions to the big questions we ask of God. “Why did this happen?” That’s a big question that doesn’t have any easy answer.
Unfortunately, Christianity has become a religion of the quick fix. I’m not hating on any one particular church, pastor, or denomination. Heck, I’ve been part of the problem here.
We tend to offer trite sayings to people as if they offered any hope or help. “Everything happens for a reason.” That’s like slapping a bandaid on someone who has massive internal bleeding. The bandaid makes me feel good because I feel like I helped, but the person who got the bandaid needs a surgeon. They need a deeper work than some simple saying.
They need the Surgeon. The Holy Spirit is the only hope for a fix to the things that ail us. And his work is continual. It’s a long process.
I’m glad Christianity isn’t just a bandaid. Following Christ is a gutsy thing. It’s the only solution to life. But it isn’t a quick fix. It’s something we pursue our entire lives.
Lord, I pray I would stop simplifying my relationship with you to a quick fix. You’re the great Surgeon, not a bandaid and Neosporin. Let me reverence you and points others to you rather than using your words as a mere bandaid that offers no hope or help.