Gossip: Heavy Cross
How can we survive this cruel, cruel world?
It’s no secret that life in this world can be hard. Sometimes days, weeks, years can go past and you wonder to yourself “is this all worth it?” The world is so full of pain and hurt and suffering. There’s got to be a way out. There’s got to be a survival mechanism. There’s got to be a way to make this life bearable.
To stay on top of things is this world is impossible to do on your own. The pressure is too much. But maybe, just maybe, two people could do it. Maybe if I had someone with me, a boyfriend or girlfriend, whatever. Maybe love is the key to salvation. Maybe love will save the day. As it says in Gossip’s song Heavy Cross, “It takes two. It’s up to me and you to prove it.” But will love really save the day?
If you haven’t heard this song, check it out here.
“It’s a cruel cruel world, to face on your own,
A heavy cross, to carry along,
The lights are on, but everyone’s gone,
And it’s cruel”
How could we possibly cope? How could we possibly survive?
“It takes two, it’s up to me and you, to prove it”
The answer, according to Gossip, is love. It takes two. By finding that one true love, by investing yourself into a loving relationship, you will survive. You will be able to take whatever the world throws at you because at least you have the love of your significant other. The world could kill you, but everything would be okay because at least you had experienced love. It’s not just Gossip telling us this. It’s our entire society. Our movies, our books, our music, our magazines. Find true love and everything will turn out fine.
I say, do this and love will become your god.
When you put all your trust in love, love becomes your god. When searching for the ‘one’ becomes your number one goal, then love becomes your god. When breaking the rules (or laws) becomes a viable option because of love, then love becomes your god. When doing something you know you shouldn’t do becomes okay because you’re in love, love becomes your god.
You cannot serve two gods. You cannot worship God and romantic love. You have to make a choice.
“Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8). God is not down on love. But our first priority is to love and serve him. When our pursuit of romantic love interferes with our love for God, then romantic love must take a back step.
Romantic love will not save us. You can play it safe, or play it cool, follow the leader, or make up all the rules, but the only way to survive this cruel, cruel world is through the blood of Jesus. God sent his son Jesus to die in your place so you may escape this sinful world, so that you may be saved. Don’t put your faith in the love of a boyfriend or girlfriend. Put your faith in the love of the God who died to save you. That’s the only way to be saved.
For more articles by Joel A Moroney, head to Pop Culture Christ
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