One question you can count on being asked at the check out line of almost any grocery store in America is, "Paper or plastic?" Did you ever wonder if there is a right answer to that question? I mean, environmentally speaking that is. I saw a news report last night that listed the pros and cons of bagging your groceries in plastic bags vs. bagging them in paper bags (and vice versa). Both paper and plastic bags are costly to the environment (paper bags cost millions of trees and plastic bags millions of barrels of oil). So bottom line, if you really want to be environmentally friendly, BRING YOUR OWN BAG!That is really not such a bad idea. Think of all the trees that would be spared and all the oil that would be conserved. Not to mention the money saved by grocery stores, which in turn might lower grocery bills (OK, John - don't press your luck!). I am sure there are some people among us that might be willing to BYOB when grocery shopping. But my guess is that most Americans would not want to be bothered. After all, it is far more convenient to just take the bags offered by the grocer! And that is what we want. The more convenient something is - the better!
We as Christ-followers must be very careful that we do not allow this cultural value of convenience impact our faith journey. Following Christ is often NOT the easy, most convenient path to travel. This is why Paul (the battle hardened veteran) urged Timothy (the tender footed rookie) to "endure hardship with us as a good soldier of Jesus Christ" (2 Timothy 2:3). Following Jesus is often hard. So if we are going to run the race, finish the fight and keep the faith (as Paul did - see 2 Timothy 4:7) then we must kiss this desire for convenience goodbye! And that might just mean BYOB!
Thanks for listening,
pj
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