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Immanuel Baptist "On the Journey" Articles |
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| On the Journey- January 26, 2005- Jamie Broome Resisting the World Often I encounter people whose life journeys were very different from mine, and the code of life they learned sometimes mystifies me. Many years ago, I befriended a little boy who had problems relating with other children. He came from a very marginal background and received very little encouragement at home. In almost every conflict situation, he chose first to use his fists. He was involved in more than one scuffle on the playground and spent considerable time in the principal's office for pushing and shoving others. One day I happened to be in the school after an explosion of fists in the cafeteria. I saw him sitting alone in the hallway. I stopped and knelt down beside him and put my hand on his knee. As soon as I touched him, he jumped up, slid away, and declared, "Don't put your hands on me!" I thought we were friends, and his response surprised me. I sat down beside him to talk. In only a few moments, I learned the source of this little boy's difficulties. He was learning at home a code for life that said: "If anyone hits you, you hit them back. Don't let anyone put their hands on you. Boy, don't you let anybody at that school run over you." These were the tapes in his head, and each time he encountered a conflict situation this code for life ruled. Sometimes I forget that what I say to you on Sunday probably sounds like a foreign tongue. Each day you live and work in a world that has established a code of conduct very different from the life Christ calls you to live. My words may sound naive to you. You may be thinking that if I lived in the real world I would soon discover how foolish my expectations are that any one can live as Jesus taught us to live. Yes, the gospel sounds strange and unbelievable in the world in which you and I live. Even if the deepest desire of our hearts is to listen for the voice of God, the world keeps repeating its message. Sometimes the world attempts to blow us away with the fury of its message. At other times, the world speaks in a seductive way. To be faithful to God in our world, we have to monitor the company we keep, the books we read, the music we listen to, and the movies we see. Though we are no longer teenagers, we remain vulnerable to peer pressure. If we are not careful, the code of this world dominates the way of Christ. For this reason, I am disturbed, but not surprised, that there are times when the body of Christ acts like the world. If, gossip is the favorite form of conversation in our community of friends or our workplace, should we be surprised that gossip becomes a problem for the church? If, in our families, hurtful and painful words end every confrontation, should we be surprised that the church cannot handle conflict without inflicting unnecessary damage? If, in our daily lives, we believe it is necessary to be suspicious of things people say and do, should we be stunned to discover that we are always accusing someone of possessing hidden agendas. If we believe that deceit and secrecy are essential to daily life, should we wonder why unnecessary controversy distracts the church from its mission? If we enjoy movies, music, or books that violently or sexually exploit others, need we wonder why we do not have respect for others affirming their worth? Yes, the world speaks loudly and seductively. Yes, the world makes great promises. When Jesus says, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," I suspect we have great difficulty hearing him. His voice creates such dissonance with the world. The world is relentless in communication of its themes. Jesus waits for us to turn to him. The world comes at us through every medium available. The heavenly Father waits for us to pray. Bombarded daily by the message of the world, we find it hard to discern the true pathway to life and peace. It may be that we should remember these words of John: “Do not love the world or the things in the world. The love of the Father is not in those who love the world; for all that is in the world—the desire of the flesh, the desire of the eyes, the pride in riches—comes not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away, but those who do the will of God live forever.”[I John 2:15-17] It is difficult to resist the message of the world, but we need to stay focused on things with eternal significance. jamie |
Website last updated: Wednesday, February 2, 2005 Website Related Questions/Comments: Chris Cash-ccash@vci.net |
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Immanuel Baptist Church - 3465 Buckner Lane - Paducah, KY, 42001 - 270.443.5306 - www.immanuel-paducah.org |