This Is Our Time: Everyday Myths in Light of the Gospel

by Trevin K. Wax

For starters we need an accurate rendering of the map that directs most people in our society. According to research from Gabe Lyons and David Kinnaman, 84 percent of Americans believe “enjoying yourself is the highest goal of life.” How do you enjoy yourself and find fulfillment? Eighty-six percent of Americans say you’ve got to “pursue the things you desire most.” Ninety-one percent of Americans affirm the statement: “To find yourself, look within yourself.” To sum up, most Americans believe the purpose of life is enjoyment that comes from looking deep within to find your true self while pursuing whatever brings you happiness. What’s shocking is that churchgoing Christians have this as their map, too! The research shows that 66 percent of churchgoing Christians agreed that the highest goal of life is “enjoying yourself,” 72 percent said you should pursue the things you desire most, and 76 percent agreed that looking within yourself is the way to find yourself. Apparently, when it comes to questions about the purpose of life and the pursuit of happiness, Christians look an awful lot like the rest of the world. Our maps don’t stand out.26