The book of Acts has many interesting stories to tell, but none quite like that of the Jews that were around during the first years of the Church. As we read about Paul's missions all around the modern day Middle East and South Europe, there is a recurring theme. While some of the Jews become believers after hearing Paul speak the Good News, a large number of them respond with anger, sometimes even hatred, and many even try to do him physical harm! What is the cause of this? In my opinion...comfort. Those Jews were comfortable. They were comfortable with their laws, customs, beliefs, and practices. So comfortable, in fact, that they were willing to do almost anything to maintain the status quo.
It's easy to get flustered by their attitude. God's chosen people finally received their Messiah and they...reject him? What?! I think it might be better though, to learn from them. Think about your own life. How open to radical change are you? Are you ready to give up your job? Your house? Your wealth? Your city? Your country? Your...life? It's easy to be flummoxed by those Jews, or even to condemn them, but how different are we really?
Most of us are uncomfortable with change. (I know a few people that start turning in circles if you try to move lunch from 4 to 3:30.) The truth is though, change shouldn't scare us, or even surprise us. From the day we accepted Jesus as our Savior, we should have been expecting it. Do a quick Gospel scan: How many people meet Jesus and don't have their lives radically altered? Mary and Joseph did, Peter did, a few blind men did, a few cripples did, the woman at the well did, the Pharisees did, Lazarus did, Pilate did, the thief did, Saul did.... In fact, can you find one person anywhere in the Bible whose life didn't change after encountering Jesus? (Take your time and get back to me.)
The point is, we're not that much different from those Jews. We love Jesus, but get a little uncomfortable when He starts to shake our foundations. If the Scripture tells us one thing, however, it's that Jesus is all about change. We need to start embracing the changes Jesus calls us to make on a daily basis, and be receptive to His will. Tonight, pray that God radically changes your life tomorrow, and that you're not too comfortable to miss it.
By Aaron Blackwell
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2 comments:
Here's the part where I turn into the Jenie from Alladdin as the sheep - just reading this made me soo uneasy. I think no matter how solid we may be in our thoughts, communication, or walk, this is definately something everyone has to struggle with. I can think of a half-dozen things off the top of my head alone that I am struggling in accepting change, even when in most of them, I KNOW that the change will alter my life in a positive way to allow Christ more room. I definately need to remind myself only to fear and love my God, not the world that makes me blinded with worldy comfort...
Don't go changing to try to please me, I love you just the way you are. Hmmmm. Christ accepts us the way we are, no improvement required. But. In our love for Him we are compelled to change, to His image (hands and feet) bringing Him joy. Hmmmm
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