We just recently returned from a trip to Savannah. You might have seen a post on FB if you follow me there. It was a week we had available without meetings or other responsibilities. We took “Rick”, that is what we call call our RV. OK, this is the short story. We have a Class A Fleetwood and the model is a Flair. So, how many of you got this before I explain? We call it “Rick” because there is a wrestler who goes by the name of, you got it, Rick Flair. I know that is enough of that, you say, so move on and I will but thanks for staying with me for a moment.
When we are away, and you are probably the same, schedules and the like are different. The things you do and the discussions can take you on another direction. For us, we seem to both reflect more while we are away. Reflect on what we are doing or want to do. Now for any of us this requires keeping in mind who we are as Christians. It is the what we do and why we do it. It is what all of us must consider.
As I have been reading in Romans, I found again that the Apostle Paul took great care in explaining to the Romans as he wrote about how to deal with those in authority, taxes, even other believers. Even when we are way we are aware of who we are in Christ. That means we cannot, as Paul says can happen, do whatever we want. Oh, we could but we can’t because of Christ. Paul even told them not to criticize. I hope you didn’t think that criticism was a spiritual gift? It is not and Scripture tells us- “Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong.” Romans 14:1 NLT
Now you might ask yourself, why did he mention this today? Well, I am glad you asked. When we travel and visit places we are often asked to take a survey. Answer questions about our visit, the service we received and the list can go on and on. There is always an opportunity to tell them what you think both positive and negative. We are offered an opportunity to criticize their performance, service, or quality. I have to be honest here and say that I am glad to offer my observations but I really don’t like to criticize. There are two reasons for that and one is because I am a Christian and I understand Scripture. It has and does affect how I see things, what I do and what I say. Secondly, there is always in the back of my mind that they may be just having a bad day. Things aren’t going well and not enough people showed up for work or as we see today don’t work so there is a shortage. Plenty of jobs but no one willing to do them. Another result of a society and government that think it is OK to give people money instead of them working for it themselves. I digress, as that is not the topic of the day.
How any of us live our life whether at home with family or on the road with strangers, is to be honoring unto the Lord. I read this and thought it was so appropriate for today’s blog. “We who are strong must be considerate of those who are sensitive about things like this. We must not just please ourselves. We should help others do what is right and build them up in the Lord. For even Christ didn’t live to please himself. As the Scriptures say, “The insults of those who insult you, O God, have fallen on me.””
Romans 15:1-3 NLT
It takes me back to WWJD (what would Jesus do) from several years ago. Actually, I wish it had not gone away from society. We need a whole lot more consideration taken into how Jesus would do something before we jump into the water. I hope we can all feel that it is getting more and more difficult each day. Mankind in general seems to be on the brink of destruction. Everything seems to be the opposite of what we have known things to be since the beginning of time. I know that these thoughts have clouded the minds of mankind but today they seem to have gained control of the minds of too many.
Right is wrong and wrong is right has become the new norm. The life of an unborn child has less value than that of an animal. When there is more outrage at the treatment of animals in testing than there is for human life there is a problem. There is an old saying that “two wrongs don’t make it right”. People actually are capable of making decisions for themselves. They don’t need you or anyone else to tell them what is best for them. Now I know you might say “but what about this or that?”. Listen, there is always an exception and this is not a perfect world. There are always people who will make the wrong decision. They can’t help themselves and there is no amount of government intervention that will change it and if someone tells you otherwise then it is on you for believing them. Use the brain and the mind that God gave you. You know what is right and wrong. You know how to protect yourself and your family and I am leaving you with this, WWJD?
In God’s Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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