And The Survey Says...

Growing up, one of my most favorite game shows was The Family Feud. And no, not the one with Louie Anderson (of Splash fame) or John Hurley (from Home Improvement) or even the newly revamped version with Steve Harvey. I'm not even referring to when the show was hosted by Ray Combs. I'm talking old school Richard Dawson Feud! Now I realize that I was only seven when Dawson ended his run on The Feud, but he's the one I remember most and best.

What I loved so much about it was how it was a game solely based on popular opinion. So all you had to do is think like the majority and you could win easily! Ok, I didn't necessarily realize it at the time, because what seven-year-old thinks of how a game is awesome because it has no real correct answer and is completely left up to speculation of what a majority of random people think. But I believe that's what I liked so much about it...subconsciously that is.

However, the more I think about it now, the more I realize that is how many of us actually live out our lives. I look at my own heart and life and I see it so clearly now. It's like I'm living out a game of family feud. I'm clamoring to be the first to push the buzzer and shout out what the popular answer is to life's most important questions. Who I am, what I do, where I go, it's all about what other people, random people, even people who have no real concern or care for me, think or believe about who I should be, what I should do, or where I should go! And the worst thing is I trust in what the survey says.

Now in my "game"/life I'm not pitted against another family. It's more like a constant and continuous opening "face-off." And my opponent isn't another person, it's God. But here's the real issue. In a game like family feud, I'd beat God. Because the top five answers on the board about who I am, are from the world's survey and what the world says about me is...

5. He can't handle it.
4. He needs to try harder.
3. He needs more education.
2. He's a failure.
1. He's just not good enough.

And I'd get it right! Because I am more concerned with what the survey says than what God says! See when God looks at me He does His own survey. And through the blood-bought grace poured so lavishly upon my life by Jesus Christ, God sees a new creation. He slams His hand down on the buzzer and says...

5. He can do all things through Christ! (Philippians 4:13)
4. He doesn't need to earn His keep! (Ephesians 2:8-9)
3. His mind is being transformed and renewed. (Romans 12:2)
2. He has victory through my Son! (1 Corinthians 15:56-57)
1. I am his and he is Mine...and that's good enough! (Romans 8:28-30)

God smashes the board of popular opinion, He makes foolish what we believe to be wise. But you know what? He doesn't lose a game of Family Feud, because He simply refuses to play it. This world and what it treasures is fleeting. Don't let others define who you are. Don't let this world tell you you're not good enough. Know your Heavenly Father. Trust and believe on The Lord Jesus Christ and His finished work on the cross. Allow the grace that is ready to be poured out upon all who will believe cover you and make you new. Understand that "there is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Romans 8:1) And above all...don't follow what the survey says!