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Good Shepherd Lutheran Church Today's Frontline Devotion February 11, 2009 KUM BA YAH |
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Frontline Devotion for Wednesday, February 11, 2009 by Penny Risen
Acts 2:43-47 "Everyone around was in awe - all those wonders and signs done through the apostles! And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so each person's need was met. "They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. People in general liked what they saw. Every day their number grew as God added those who were saved." The Message Bible
We all casually ask people, "How's it going?" "'What's new with you?" or "Life treating you okay?" --- but seldom do we expect a real, heartfelt reply. Unless we're close to someone or are a family member, we expect small talk rather than meaningful dialogue. So, when I asked my friend Eric a while back, "How's it going ..." he replied stiffly:
"That's the trouble, right there. I'm tired of being 'The Christian' at work or in the neighborhood. People lean on me for 'spiritual advice,' or tell me about how they feel they did something very wrong, asking me if they are a lost cause in God's eyes, or as some people put it 'your God's' eyes."
Telling him that a lot of folks expect Christians to be automatically compassionate and to show mutual concern for everyone only frustrated Eric more. "But some people think that I'm ready to dish out stock 'Christian' answers of peace and love, then we'll stand together and sing ' Kum Ba Yah, My Lord.' "
Is this the way we think Christians often are portrayed, or the manner in which we feel obligated to behave? The passage from Acts 2 certainly sounds so idealistic that it leaves us wondering: Why early Christians had so many hard knocks; why fellow villagers were suspicious of these harmonious bands of believers; why if someone behaved too-Christian they were turned into Roman authorities and persecuted, even martyred?
It wasn't all harmony and "Kum Ba Yah" moments for these pioneers of a very new, contemporary sect. Religion in the apostle Paul's day was supposed to be ancient and scary, not new and filled with compassion and mutual concern, right? Followers of the sanctioned Roman beliefs were supposed to avoid retribution and damnation with Temple sacrifices, not worship and praise a blameless One who sacrificed for them, who saved them.
My friend Eric got over his grump when I asked him for examples about being relied on by friends for mutual concern and encouragement, simply because they knew he was a churchgoer and attended a men's Bible study. It was humbling to hear how Eric actually had led some coworkers to Christ. But we shared a laugh about how perfect we as believers were expected to behave --- we who as colleagues had led the pack to "Happy Hour," for example, after putting in a hard work day. Did early Christians also feel this pressure for demonstrating perfection? Or were they still caught up in the moment of knowing their Messiah had drawn them close in fellowship, and connected them in this new faith they were so grateful for?
Let's remember some of this fresh zeal and compassion from the risen Lord, next time someone bends our ear. Let's offer to share His message generously with those who may be hungry for a good listener, when they reply from the heart when we ask, "Life treating you okay?"
Prayer for the day: Dear Lord, help me to step out of my comfort zone and reach out to someone who's hurting or hungers for your Word. Guide me to show compassion and to reject cynicism. Come by me, Lord, and fill me with the zeal of old. Amen
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All are welcome to join and share in our Devotional Ministry on the "Frontlines" of the world. Frontline Devotions are sent via email daily. Sign up by clicking on the box to the left. Pastor Dave welcomes feedback. Contact him at pastordave@goodshepherdonline.org. |
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