February 21 – Faithful in the Small Things

       Luke 19:13-17: "So he called ten of his servants and gave them ten minas. 'Put this money to work, until I come back', he said....Then he sent for the servants to whom he had given the money, in order to find out what they had gained with it. The first one came and said 'Sir, your mina has earned ten more.' 'Well done, my good servant!' his master replied. 'Because you have been trustworthy in a very small matter, take charge of ten cities.'"

       I have been a professional tennis fan for many years, following the careers and even personal lives of those playing the game. I have often prayed for these people to find the true meaning of life. At the 2021 Australian Open final in Melbourne, the runner-up mentioned in his speech that he had met the winner some twelve years earlier as a pre-teen at some tournament. The winner had treated him well, and conversed with him naturally, showing an interest in the younger, burgeoning player. This surprised the pre-teen, and made quite an impression upon him, seeing that a sports celebrity took the time to engage him in talking about life. At the speech, the runner-up praised the winner by showing his respect for him, due to his good off-court demeanor in years past.

       Many years ago, I worked with a sweet young woman at my clerical job. She was very nice, but was given over to excessive drinking and partying. I spoke to her occasionally about her need to surrender her sinful life to her heavenly Father, who could change her from the inside out. I then went about, living a righteous witness, day after day, working beside her. A few years later, she left our workplace to become a hair stylist. I would occasionally visit her business to get my hair cut, and continue my small faithful witness to her. I eventually lost contact with her, as she moved on again. Some time after that, I randomly ran in to her; she told me that she had become a Christian, and was learning to follow Jesus. She remembered aloud my faithful witness to her.

       Both of these stories show the importance of faithful living, keeping in mind that a change in someone's life often does not come at once, but after planting and watering seeds. God is then able to make new life sprout, due to all working together. (1 Corinthians 3:6-8)

 November 11 – Hypocrites

       Matthew 7:3-5: "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye', when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye."

       Have you ever heard the phrase "Put your money where your mouth is"? How about "Put up, or shut up?" They both mean the same thing and are related to the opening scripture. One better walk the talk, or else the talk is meaningless, hollow, and hypocritical. We certainly expect that follow-through from our elected politicians, and from our friends and co-workers who talk like surrogate-politicians. I believe that if one thinks he has the answer to the nations' woes, then he better be doing something already to alleviate or rectify said woes. For example, if I believe that abortion is morally wrong (and I do), then I should be doing something tangible to help that teenager (directly or indirectly) cope with an unwanted pregnancy, and to possibly help her provide for that baby when she has decided to not abort it. There are lots of other topics that also could be mentioned here, especially ones that we think the government should tackle.

       I personally do not know any illegal aliens. However, I might have opinions about illegal aliens in general. I may think that a wall should be built on the southern border to keep out all non-residents of the United States. I don't live near the border, so I personally don't see the issues related to such topics firsthand. All I know is that I don't want crime and drugs to seep into my country. I may also not like it that my tax dollars are being spent on welfare for such people seeping into my country. All of those things can be both personal and political. The answer for how my government is responding to this situation will be argued as long as the nation lasts. But how am I to react to a needy family down the street who is trying to make ends meet? What does Jesus expect me personally to do? After all, he is my Savior and Master, not the government under which I live.

       I live in a kingdom that is not of this world (John 18:36). My Master told me to pray that his kingdom and will would come to this world (Matthew 6:10). I don't think that Jesus was just telling us to hope for the final day when he would set up an earthly kingdom, where all perceived injustices would be eradicated. No, I believe that Jesus wants his kingdom to come to individuals here and now, living in the mess and muddle, of the daily grind, mending the rot that we have built while living in our own wisdom and selfishness. Sometimes, that "coming of the kingdom" means that I get involved in someone's life by meeting their needs (Matthew 25:37-40).

       So the next time that you get on your high horse about how the government should respond to certain situations, ask yourself, "How am I personally involved with the people who are dealing with, or causing, that situation? Can I make a difference? Can I be a part of the solution?" Let's not expect the government or the president to be our savior. Let's be the hands and feet of the one who really is the Savior.