Issue 1475 – Topsy Turvy – June 17, 2024
Kathy and I celebrated Father’s Day on Saturday. We planned a picnic lunch of Kentucky Fried Chicken. I love the flavour of that chicken, but I only indulge once or twice a year. We would pick up our meal, sit by a lake or river, and enjoy the peace and quiet.
The weather was miserable: rain, rain, more rain, thunder, lightning, hail, and even nearby threats of tornados. Often, the weather turns nasty when we picnic, so we end up eating our meal in the car. It has become a running joke that eating our picnic in the car is a picnic. The weather was miserable enough that we skipped even that step and ate at home in the living room.
Still, our purpose of celebrating with a quiet day together was accomplished. It was not a typical “picnic,” to be sure, but we enjoyed it nonetheless.
Later, while thinking about atypical things, I remembered something I had seen the other day. In today’s image, you can see a crow chasing a hawk. That’s quite normal, and I often see crows or even smaller birds driving hawks away.
The other day, I witnessed a hawk chasing a crow and some smaller birds away. I was surprised because I had never seen it happen like that before. The scene was not typical in my experience.
This nontypical scene got me thinking about being a Christian. Everything about the Christian faith is counter-cultural. The whole Christian system is topsy-turvy; here are a few examples.
The creator of the universe died for His subjects.
We cannot earn our way to heaven.
Believers are commanded to love their enemies and forgive those who have harmed them.
Leaders are called to servanthood.
Success is found in obeying God, not being successful in the world’s eyes.
God is the center of all things, not a human (and certainly not you or I).
I could carry on and list many more ways that Christianity flies in the face of the world’s view, but I am sure you can think of others.
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
Walking as a Christian isn’t simply a one-time emotion-filled prayer. To be a true follower of Christ, one must seek to live by His example and instructions.
Living that way flies in the face of convention. It may bring about distrust, ridicule or even persecution, yet it is the way of reality and truth.
The victory belongs to those who follow Him.
Hold true to the path of Jesus, my friends. Stand opposed to the ways of the world and walk in truth and love. Trust the Word and Spirit to guide you.
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah / Praise God
Kevin
Gleanings From The Word
Experience an extraordinary God in ordinary life.
Soli Deo Gloria (For the glory of God alone)
Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. Your value in God’s eyes is so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world. You are so precious to God that his plan for heaven will not be complete without you.
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Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from the English Standard Version (ESV)