SCRIP-BITS

1 Corinthians 12:14.    For the body is not one member, but many.

And then it was Saturday, that day when we breathe a huge sigh of relief because there is no work to go to. No need to get up early and face the rush hour traffic, or rather the highway parking lots, as happens both morning and evening during the work week. Today is just a day to awaken late, then simply lie on the couch and relax some more. (smile) That’s why we call it, lazy Saturday. 

Unfortunately though, some of us don’t have that luxury, we still must get up and work; like me. On a Saturday morning, I have to take the quotes our friend Anselm sent us this past week and try to put them in some sort of biblical context. However, since we have such a wonderful and faithful God, I do have some divine help to accomplish it. In fact, I could not do it without that help from on high. 

So, let’s invoke that help right now nuh, (smile) as we look at the first quote, which tells us: ‘You cannot depend on your eyes when your imagination is out of focus.’ Now that seems like a fair comment, for our eyes do play tricks on us according to the focus of our imagination. It’s like the thirsty man in the desert who believes he sees and oasis in the distance, but it’s only a figment of his imagination, a mirage. He’s concentrating on water, and his eyes reflect that concentration. So sometimes we have to be careful about what we perceive with the eyes, for as they say, all that glitters is not gold. (smile) 

Then there’s this quote: ‘Create your future from your future, not your past.’ Now that’s a tough one. We always say not to let our past dictate our future, but that’s much easier said than done. However, we can never assemble a good present or future until we understand our past. That’s the purpose of our past; to understand our present and prepare our future along better lines. 

We obviously should not let an unfortunate past stop us from having a good future, but we need to learn from that past, see our mistakes and don’t repeat them. Bring them to Jesus and lay them at the foot of His cross, so that He can help us to do better. As He so sincerely offers in His Great Invitation: ‘Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’ (Matt. 11:28) And if we have had a wonderful past, why change it up much eh? Just tailor it, obviously with Jesus’ help, to make it fit our better future! (smile) 

That brings us to this quote: ‘You want to set a goal that is big enough that in the process of achieving it you become someone worth becoming.’ Now there’s some truth to that, but my query is to become someone worth becoming isn’t necessarily a factor of size. Yes, we always ought to set worthwhile goals, desire to reach higher, but worthwhile doesn’t mean it always has to be big. They must get us out of our comfort zone, but they must also be realistic given our circumstances and level of achievement. 

And in Jesus’ kingdom size doesn’t always mean more important. The lowest worker is just as important as the highest, the one who does a lot as the one who does little. In Matthew chapter 20, Jesus tells the parable of the workers in the vineyard. Some began working early and others much later, but they all received the same pay. Obviously those that worked harder and longer thought it unfair. At the end of the parable, Jesus tells them: ‘So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.’ (Matt. 20:16) 

And I like how this article from the gotquestions.org explains it. ‘The most direct interpretation, based on the content of the parable, is that all believers, no matter how long or how hard they work during this lifetime, will receive the same basic reward: eternal life. The thief on the cross (Luke 23:39-43), whose life of service was limited to a moment of repentance and confession of faith in Christ, received the same reward of eternal life as did Timothy, who served God for years. Of course, Scripture also teaches that there are different rewards in heaven for different services, but the ultimate reward of eternal life will be given to all equally, on the basis of God’s grace in Christ Jesus.’ 

So, size of goal, or seat of power doesn’t really matter in Jesus’ kingdom. And His kingdom is the only one that really matters. Remember this world and all therein will eventually pass away, when the new heaven and the new earth of Jesus comes. And that leads us to the following quote: ‘You’ve got to think about big things while you’re doing small things, so that all the small things go in the right direction.’ 

There we go again, that emphasis on big things! Oh, we must have good ideas at the back of our minds and work on the small things that will eventually lead us in the direction of those ideas. But I seem to have this problem with big, because big or bigger isn’t always good or better. What we as believers in Christ need to do is find out God’s plan and purpose for our lives. That’s where we should all begin, because not all of us are destined to have big goals or big ministries, but all the jobs are just as important. 

It’s like you need a janitor to clean a building where others who might seem higher and better can work. But the janitor’s job is just as necessary in the overall scheme of things, for the supposedly higher and better ones can’t work if the place is dirty. It’s also like how Bruh Paul describes the body of Christ in terms of the human body. The different parts all have different jobs, but they are all essential for the survival of the body. 

He tells the Corinthians: ‘For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, and are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Sprit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond (slaves) or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.’ (1 Cor. 12:12-14) 

And likewise, within the body of Christ different members have been assigned different gifts, that cause them to do different jobs. And as Bruh Paul explains earlier in that chapter: ‘Now there are diversities (various kinds) of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are differences of administrations (ministries), but the same Lord. And there are diversities of operations (activities), but it is the same God which worketh all (things) in all.’ But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal (all).’ (1 Cor. 12:4-7) 

So in the long run, the size of what you do for Christ isn’t as important as how you do it. You can have a big ministry and do it woefully, as so many are doing these days, or a small one and doing it well. Christ will certainly appreciate the last more than the first. And then there’s this last quote, which I think wraps up things very nicely. ‘No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities – always see them, for they’re always there.’ 

And that’s the gospel truth if you are a true believer in Christ Jesus! Regardless of how dark or bad things might look, with Jesus beside you and His Holy Spirit dwelling within you, there are always opportunities for improvement. There is always the proverbial light at the end of the dark tunnel, for Jesus is the Way Maker! He always makes a way where there seems to be no way. That’s why our sights should always be set on heaven, be looking up to Jesus! As Bruh Paul declared in his epistle to the church at Philippi: ‘I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.’ (Phil. 3:14) 

Yes friends, whatever God has called us to do, be it seemingly high or low, let’s do it with diligence and excellence, for that’s what He expects of us. Much LOVE!

…let’s ignore all that is past…and instead…reach forward to Christ…who is the Way…                                                                                                                                

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