disGrace?

I Corinthians 4:9-13 (MSG - The Message)

9-13 It seems to me that God has put us who bear His message on stage in a theater in which no one wants to buy a ticket. We're something everyone stands around and stares at, like an accident in the street. We're the Messiah's misfits. You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we're mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don't have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. When they call us names, we say, "God bless you." When they spread rumors about us, we put in a good word for them. We're treated like garbage, potato peelings from the culture's kitchen. And it's not getting any better.

This is, of course, Paul in his writings to the church of Corinth. This was a real problem group for Paul. Unlike the others, this congregation aparently needed a lot of guidance in a lot of different areas. In this passage, it appears that Paul is venting (as it seems he was prone to do).

Paul had it pretty bad. As do many of our faithful missionaries in foreign countries where they risk their very lives simply by proclaiming the Gospel. The American Christian should realize how lucky we are. But the tide is turning and just as Martin Luther faced grave peril in his quest to return to the true doctrine of Christ, so also do we face new ridicule for being 'religious zealots' - Christians. [see post on 'dealing with Christians']

one point I want to make here (there could be so many) - Lets examine a child and his/her parents. When a child is an infant, he or she is pampered, taken care of in every tiny detail (or at least should be, right? -good parents). And so when that child reaches toddler stage begins the training. Learn to use a spoon and fork, drink from a glass, use the toilet, etc. Discipline also begins early on and increases based on expectations of that childs development and ability to reason.

Children, some, whether they'd admit it or not, desire to please their parents. Whether it is the desire to avoid the consequences or the reward of a happy mom or dad, children learn quite quickly what actions are pleasing and which are not. Having three children myself, I can say that they know. They know when they are doing something they should not be doing. Sure there have been time when I have been upset with them for doing something that I could honestly say they didnt know they werent supposed to do (ie. my 5 year old makes the 2 year old a "snack").

On that note, my 5 year old will (in the morning, or noon, or night) get a banana, a glass of orange juice and tell me, "daddy, I made you breakfast." This is my favorite breakfast. She has learned that and so she does this because she knows I am pleased with it. It also demonstrates to me (and her) that she is not longer the baby, but the big girl. She doesnt need that pampering anymore because through growth and learning, she has become less dependent.

As it comes to pass (all to quickly), that child is ready to leave the comforts of home to make one for themselves. As much as it is the desire of some parents to see their children become more and more independent, it is also the desire for some children to show their parents that they can "handle it." They want to show (possibly even to themselves) that they can weather the storms of life with the strength and wisdom they learned at home.

The comparison pretty much ends here as far as I can see, so I'll get right the crux of the matter. We (humans) have a Heavenly Father. However, earth is not our home. In opposition to the above analogy, we start out on our own (so to speak) with home as our final destination. Earth was intended to be our home, but it is winding down. A new order exists and now from birth to physical death, our life is the journey home. BUT (here is the analogous connection), here (earth) is where we learn about our Father, from our Father's words which He has left behind for us. As we study and pray and are grown up in His word, so should we desire to please Him by using the strength and wisdom He has imparted. And so also should we desire to less and less require graces of comfort in our earthly lives. THIS IS MY POINT (Finally! - I knew I'd get there)

"You might be sure of yourselves, but we live in the midst of frailties and uncertainties. You might be well-thought-of by others, but we're mostly kicked around. Much of the time we don't have enough to eat, we wear patched and threadbare clothes, we get doors slammed in our faces, and we pick up odd jobs anywhere we can to eke out a living. "

And he's not complaining (I know, sure sounds like it, but you've got to read the whole book to really get where he's coming from). This is what we should seek after. Seek everyday to reduce the amount of comforts you require to get you through each day. There is no end to this process. It is life long renewal in Christ by the empowerment of the Holy Spirit that transforms us. The funny thing here is that the process is to quit trying of your own power and start relying on Gods power alone, but relying on God and relying on God to make things all better or more comfortable are entirely two different things. The idea here is to say, "God, don't change the circumstances, change me." So let us not be who we were yesterday. Let us seek to please God and seek less to please ourselves and please the world. Let us become less comfortable, the disgrace of this world, the pride of our Father.