Resonating Reasons
Tonight, I watched the original Karate Kid movie with my dad. Past the disco music, predictable plot, and unwelcome sensor (my dad decided I was 5 again, and he was going to use his palm covering the computer screen to protect me from all things "adult") there is a lesson learned. A lesson that was "coincidentally" confirmed in Titus tonight as I read the introductory verses to chapter 3. Throughout the movie, the attitudes of respect (as opposed to no-mercy) and defense (as opposed to attack) are stressed as the main character, Daniel, learns Karate as an art, not a weapon. Titus continued this theme of conduct as Paul reminds the Christian Cretans of their expected social demeanor.
Verse 1 introduces outward submission to government. However, Paul inserts that we must be ready to do good deeds. This encourages us not only to be active in government activities that display Christian characteristics but also reminds us that our submission to government must be accompanied with a God-focused preparedness, which commits our ultimate authority to Christ, not compliance.
After his instruction of conduct in the first 3 verses, Paul reiterates the "why" of his high expectations for those of us who have forgotten. You know, those of us who have, in our thoughts toward specific situations and people that we will have a hard time “considering” in all things, entertained "it's not worth its" or "you've got to be kiddings" in our heads. The reason is not for recognition—no good work we could have done earns us the height of God’s kindness and love (salvation: Vs. 4). Ending all guesses to right motives, Paul quiets us all with retrospect: God saved us according to His mercy. What better example of attitude toward the hostile could there be? You may be thinking, “Well, it was easy for God; He loved us for Pete’s sake, He had no choice but to rescue us!” I think He did have a choice, and saving us wasn’t the easiest one. Nonetheless, I think God’s willingness to overcome much more than “unpleasantness” or “pride” (which are my most common excuses) is a testament to how strong His love is, and how great His sovereign plan.
If God can do ALL that, I can do at least this: make my relationship with “blank” as God-honoring and humble as I can.
And that's where the "personal practicality" comes in. I've been experiencing and providing sessions of turbulent tension lately, which has resulted in my surrender to several cliché faux pas. I find myself sweating the small stuff, going for the quick fix, crying over spilled milk, and getting in the last word. Reading (again) of the love and mercy God possesses and remembering (again) my past bondage and mistakes helps me find the strength to revamp my patience-o-meter for even the most stressful of days and the most hurtful of remarks.
As a side not, I have been witnessing the "right in front of my nose" truths that clichés offer. As mentioned, I've experienced the negative side of this, but I've also seen the positive side. These "cliché-minders" serve as post-it notes on my brain, helping me to transform my negative phrases into positive ones. Remember sweating the small stuff? Well, my "cliché-minder" tells me to let go and let God. How about going for the quick fix? My "cliché-minder" reads love is patient, love is kind. And, finally, there's crying over spilled milk. That one's simple: God is in control.
From sweating, to letting.
From fixing, to waiting.
From crying over, to crying out to my Sovereign Father in heaven.
Verse 1 introduces outward submission to government. However, Paul inserts that we must be ready to do good deeds. This encourages us not only to be active in government activities that display Christian characteristics but also reminds us that our submission to government must be accompanied with a God-focused preparedness, which commits our ultimate authority to Christ, not compliance.
After his instruction of conduct in the first 3 verses, Paul reiterates the "why" of his high expectations for those of us who have forgotten. You know, those of us who have, in our thoughts toward specific situations and people that we will have a hard time “considering” in all things, entertained "it's not worth its" or "you've got to be kiddings" in our heads. The reason is not for recognition—no good work we could have done earns us the height of God’s kindness and love (salvation: Vs. 4). Ending all guesses to right motives, Paul quiets us all with retrospect: God saved us according to His mercy. What better example of attitude toward the hostile could there be? You may be thinking, “Well, it was easy for God; He loved us for Pete’s sake, He had no choice but to rescue us!” I think He did have a choice, and saving us wasn’t the easiest one. Nonetheless, I think God’s willingness to overcome much more than “unpleasantness” or “pride” (which are my most common excuses) is a testament to how strong His love is, and how great His sovereign plan.
If God can do ALL that, I can do at least this: make my relationship with “blank” as God-honoring and humble as I can.
And that's where the "personal practicality" comes in. I've been experiencing and providing sessions of turbulent tension lately, which has resulted in my surrender to several cliché faux pas. I find myself sweating the small stuff, going for the quick fix, crying over spilled milk, and getting in the last word. Reading (again) of the love and mercy God possesses and remembering (again) my past bondage and mistakes helps me find the strength to revamp my patience-o-meter for even the most stressful of days and the most hurtful of remarks.
As a side not, I have been witnessing the "right in front of my nose" truths that clichés offer. As mentioned, I've experienced the negative side of this, but I've also seen the positive side. These "cliché-minders" serve as post-it notes on my brain, helping me to transform my negative phrases into positive ones. Remember sweating the small stuff? Well, my "cliché-minder" tells me to let go and let God. How about going for the quick fix? My "cliché-minder" reads love is patient, love is kind. And, finally, there's crying over spilled milk. That one's simple: God is in control.
From sweating, to letting.
From fixing, to waiting.
From crying over, to crying out to my Sovereign Father in heaven.
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