Scripture: As for me, God forbid that I should boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. Because of that cross, my interest in all the attractive things of the world was killed long ago, and the world’s interest in me is also long dead. Galatians 6:14
Observation: As Paul is concluding some final advice, he encourages the church to focus their lives on Jesus Christ, and to be interested in only that salvation, truth, good news, and hope. As for himself, this focus on Jesus means that he no longer cares about the things of the world. However, he adds another clause to this statement. Because of Paul's focus on Jesus, the world no longer cares about him, either. Paul is no longer part of the world's ecosystem, economy, structure ... in either direction.
Application: Last night, I was on a plane returning from vacation. I had an isle seat, and a guy came up and said he had the window seat. I said "great!", jumped up and moved (because I knew someone would come for the seat), and quickly let him in. He immediately got on his phone texting, and his font was very, very large on his phone. To whomever he was texting, he said ... "I'm sitting next to some a*****e" (technically we weren't next to each other ... there was an empty seat between us). He then described me as "a jerk in bare feet with gross toes".
I'm literally just sitting there, and have said one friendly word to this guy. Maybe I shouldn't have been reading his texts but I don't have great eyesight and the text was so big I couldn't miss it. And I was barefoot having slipped off my sandals just then. However, I did have one other distinguishing item. As required I was wearing a mask, and it says "FAITH over FEAR".
As Paul taught, as a Christian I should want nothing to do with the "attractive things of the world". However, also as a Christian, the world will want nothing to do with me. When I display my faith, I should expect the world - and those who live in and honor the world - to react to me with ... at least ambivalence, if not contempt.
I'm okay with that. I have had that contempt of the world hurt me in the past. However, I believe this is a way I am growing in my faith ... that I now just expect it. I'm really okay with a guy calling me names and thinking my feet are ugly (15 years of competitive soccer can do that to your feet). I expect the world not to care about me any more, and for people 'of the world' to treat me poorly. Ideally I can scale back my ambition so that I care less and less and less about the attractive things of the world.
Prayer: Lord, you are so wise that you know I can and will find contentment and joy in nothing more than whatever you provide. I have no need for that which you don't provide. I look to you for all I need, and all I want, in this world. Thank you for caring for my family and I. And I do hope my row-mate last night felt better about himself, and perhaps had some time to contemplate in his heart the concept of faith. Amen.
No comments:
Post a Comment