“We live in a culture obsessed with customization, where ‘Have it your way’ has evolved from fast food slogan to lifestyle manifesto. . . . From curated playlists to build your own burrito bowls, we instinctively assume the world should conform to our specifications. We’re no longer just consumers; we’ve customized our consuming. The customer isn’t just always right; the customer is now the designer, and the marked scrambles to accommodate our every preference.”- Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore
In Chapter 1 (“Who Do You Say Jesus Is?”) of The Missing Messiah, Kyle Idleman and Mark E. Moore contend that Build-A-Bear represents more than a childhood phenomenon. Rather, it’s the air we breathe. Most significantly, though, the bear kids customize is nothing like the real bear. Just as the Jesus we tailor to fit our lifestyle bears no little resemblance to the real Jesus.
Certainly, Kyle and Mark acknowledge, a helpful aspect to personalization exits. Because, as unique individuals, it’s beneficial to find products and services that align with the way God wired us. But when it comes to spiritual truth, there’s a potential dark side. That’s when we unintentionally find ourselves taking a Build-A-Jesus approach to our faith.
As a result, the authors counsel:
“We decide how ‘squishy’ our Jesus should be — firm enough to support us, but not so firm that he challenges our comfortable lifestyle. We select what kind of voice we want him to have — perhaps he says, ‘I love you’ or ‘You’re forgiven,’ but certainly not, ‘Take up your cross’ or ‘Sell your possessions.’ . . .
The customized Jesus becomes a spiritual stuffed animal rather than a Messiah-King. We stuff him with attributes that make us feel secure . . . while conveniently leaving out his demands for justice, sacrifice, and surrender.”
Consequently, we dress Jesus in whatever fits our aesthetics. A Jesus we hug tightly when we feel scared. Instead of scaring us with talk of repentance, sacrifice, or revolution.
Today’s question: In what areas of your life do you find yourself overly focused on customization? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The Messiah – a mere ticket agent?”