How can we have a life of overflow of joy in the midst of a world of consumption? We all have systems and we must evaluate what our systems are producing if we want to find the path to flourishing that God has for us. A path of flourishing that sets us apart from the world in that we have a joy that defies our circumstances through our peace and strength in our identity as citizens of heaven who are gifted with holiness.

“And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.”
Philippians 1:6 (ESV)

“Through finding a missing element such as a soulmate, meaningful career, enjoyable experiences, material things, or through exercising our self-expression, our lives can be filled with pleasure and meaning. Our consumer-shaped culture then offers us endless promises to fill our “empty selves,” which it creates in the first place. Contemporary consumer culture offers medicine to cure the diseases it creates.”

Mark Sayers | Reappearing Church