Yes, The Grand Illusion was the title of one of my favorite songs in high school. It was the Album and title song by Styx. And yes, I had it on an 8-Track. Some of you are asking, “An 8-Track?”
The Next Best Thing
What is the next best thing? Everyone seems to be chasing it. The next job, promotion, house, adventure, toy, or person (this one could be a message in itself). It could even be ourselves, that next ‘new’ look in trying to reinvent ourselves.
Oh, and what about that next church? You know the one I go to is far from perfect. And so the reasons to find another church are too many to list, but I’ll give it a start:
- How about people – hypocrites, cliques, rude, in your personal space, Sunday Christians
- Music – is too loud, too traditional, too contemporary, too much, and not enough
- The messages – too long, not enough scripture, too boring
- Services are – too early, too late, too long, too crowded, too small
- Not connected – no one reaches out or welcomes others
So we are programmed to chase a life of this grand illusion that has been set before us. Check out the lyrics from The Grand Illusion by Styx back in 1977…
Welcome to the Grand illusion
Styx – The Grand Illusion
Come on in and see what’s happening
Pay the price, get your tickets for the show
The stage is set, the band starts playing
Suddenly your heart is pounding
Wishing secretly you were a star
But don’t be fooled by the radio
The TV or the magazines
They show you photographs of how your life should be
But they’re just someone else’s fantasy
So if you think your life is complete confusion
Because you never win the game
Just remember that it’s a grand illusion
Romans 12:2 AMP
And do not be conformed to this world [any longer with its superficial values and customs], but be [a]transformed and progressively changed [as you mature spiritually] by the renewing of your mind [focusing on godly values and ethical attitudes], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His plan and purpose for you].
Wilbur from The Rescuers Down Under
This is one of those movies I watched with one of my boys at least 50 times. Wilbur, one of the characters, is an Albatros. And when in the middle of any situation, he will immediately be distracted, “Oh, a shiny object!” Not so far from the truth for most of us.
Colossians 2:8 NIV
See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
Nothing Really Ever Changes
The truth is nothing really ever changes. It is all a grand illusion. I know this is a leap for most of us, but how much do you really trust Jesus? He wants all of me and He wants all of you. Anything short of that is a distraction. It keeps us from being all that He wants us to be and all that He wants to do through us.
These illusions are traps. It is a major distraction. They pull us away from Christ. We don’t even realize we are trapped in a cage because the illusions are so subtle and alluring.
Galatians 5:16-17 NIV
So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other,
Got a minute? Take a listen to We The Kingdom – Cages. It’s time to break out.
Challenge of the Week
What are you justifying? You deserve it. You earned it. And you need it. What are your grand illusions? Take the time this week and look at what He is asking you to trade in for more of Him. He wants your whole heart. So be it.
I Corinthians 3:23 NIV
and you are of Christ, and Christ is of God.
