I don’t know about you, but I’m running hard for the finish line. I’m giving it everything I’ve got. No lazy living for me! I’m staying alert and in top condition. I’m not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself. (I Corinthians 9:26-27 MSG) The Levi's jean brand has a commercial that emphasizes that we need to 'get up off of that thing', meaning we need to be up and about, not sitting idly by. Their brand isn't meant to just be worn - it is meant to be worn 'out'. Guess what? Our 'brand' isn't meant to be just worn either - it is meant to be 'worn out' for the world to see and experience firsthand! Christians aren't to be 'closeted away' behind building walls - they are meant to be active in their community, helpful in their workplaces, and supportive in their extended families! Running hard for the finish line doesn't mean we leave things till the last minute. It means we ...
Even though I am free of the demands and expectations of everyone, I have voluntarily become a servant to any and all in order to reach a wide range of people: religious, nonreligious, meticulous moralists, loose-living immoralists, the defeated, the demoralized—whoever. I didn’t take on their way of life. I kept my bearings in Christ—but I entered their world and tried to experience things from their point of view. I’ve become just about every sort of servant there is in my attempts to lead those I meet into a God-saved life. I did all this because of the Message. I didn’t just want to talk about it; I wanted to be in on it! (I Corinthians 9:19-23 MSG) Some think we need to have experienced every element of a person's life in order to bring hope or grace into their lives. I don't need to experience homelessness to understand the homeless need a solid meal every day, a shower a few times a week, and fresh clothing when they shower. I understand they have to find places where t...