Tue, Oct 27, 2009
Why can't I go home? I don't live here.
All followers of Christ are "strangers" in this world. This world is not our home. Our home is in heaven. Sounds freaky, I know. Maybe even like the psycho who is part of some cult.
This is why we are often uncomfortable in situations. Our values are different. Our priorities are different. The way we think is different. Our world-view is different. The way we handle money is different. Our approach (especially as men) to our wives and kids is different.
This is also why the most comfortable place for us is when we are with other followers of Christ - like in church surrounded by like-minded men and women. Church - although flawed and imperfect - is as close to what heaven will be like while we are on this earth. (Although still far far far from it!)
So, why can't we go home? We don't live here. There is pain, suffering, awkwardness, judgment, etc., etc., etc., here. If our home is in heaven - why can't we go home?
The answer is right here in 1 Peter. We have been "scattered". The Amplified Bible says "sowed" - as in seeds being sown in a field. Why do we "sow" seed? It's not a trick question. We "sow" seed to produce a crop - to yield more of what we was planted. I plant a bean seed to produce more beans.
This is not our home. God has "sown" us - "planted" us here to produce more of us. Wow ... does this change my perspective on why I can't go home yet! This says a lot about why I am not called to hang out all the time with other followers of Christ or to spend all my time in church or church activities. (You don't plant bean seeds to produce more beans where there are already a bunch of beans! Sheesh!)
The challenging question is ... Am I producing more followers of Christ? (And before anyone gets bent out of shape because only God produces Christians. Just chill out. I agree 100% - but God uses you and I to take His message out.) Is my life drawing more people to Christ? Am I spending time in environments and have networks of friends where there are few, if any, followers of Christ.
AND...I am different. My values are different. BUT...is my difference attracting people to Christ or creating more distance? Too many followers of Christ are "weird" different not "attractive" different.
Just sayin'.
This is why we are often uncomfortable in situations. Our values are different. Our priorities are different. The way we think is different. Our world-view is different. The way we handle money is different. Our approach (especially as men) to our wives and kids is different.
This is also why the most comfortable place for us is when we are with other followers of Christ - like in church surrounded by like-minded men and women. Church - although flawed and imperfect - is as close to what heaven will be like while we are on this earth. (Although still far far far from it!)
So, why can't we go home? We don't live here. There is pain, suffering, awkwardness, judgment, etc., etc., etc., here. If our home is in heaven - why can't we go home?
The answer is right here in 1 Peter. We have been "scattered". The Amplified Bible says "sowed" - as in seeds being sown in a field. Why do we "sow" seed? It's not a trick question. We "sow" seed to produce a crop - to yield more of what we was planted. I plant a bean seed to produce more beans.
This is not our home. God has "sown" us - "planted" us here to produce more of us. Wow ... does this change my perspective on why I can't go home yet! This says a lot about why I am not called to hang out all the time with other followers of Christ or to spend all my time in church or church activities. (You don't plant bean seeds to produce more beans where there are already a bunch of beans! Sheesh!)
The challenging question is ... Am I producing more followers of Christ? (And before anyone gets bent out of shape because only God produces Christians. Just chill out. I agree 100% - but God uses you and I to take His message out.) Is my life drawing more people to Christ? Am I spending time in environments and have networks of friends where there are few, if any, followers of Christ.
AND...I am different. My values are different. BUT...is my difference attracting people to Christ or creating more distance? Too many followers of Christ are "weird" different not "attractive" different.
Just sayin'.
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