Chapters 5 and 6, specifically 6, really dove into the context of culture and work...something I've been waiting to read. However, within the culture everyone is called to do ministry in different ways. With that in mind, here's three topics I chose discuss...
1) "What is interesting is that if we focus on the doing of the ministry, sanctification happens as a byproduct of that focus, but if we focus on ourselves and our sanctification, ministry may never happen" (82).
This quote struck me in that I felt shameful of our human nature. We are...selfish. Plain and simple. No wonder a lot is not done. We are too focused on ourselves to care about others. We are too focused on things don't go our way, or on things that put us in a bad mood. Just recently, I was in a class with a friend. As soon as that friend came to class, I knew they were in a bad mood. What was their reason: they just didn't want to get up to go to class. At first, I thought nothing of it. I mean, haven't most college students, if not all, have felt that sometime in their college career? I know I have. But dwelling more on it, it really made me think how my friend was focusing on their needs and maybe never thought the mood they brought in to the whole classroom. Maybe my friend never considered how their attitude might put me in a bad attitude and then create a domino effect. We are influenced by each other.
Likewise, being selfish human beings, wouldn't we all want to be saved? Let me put it in other words: I don't know about my neighbor over there who does drugs but I know I'll be saved for sure. No wonder ministry dwindles when we have that selfish attitude! God called us to save others; He never told us to ignore our neighbor but rather love our neighbor.
2) "One of the real problems with Christians is that we can be too insular, living in our own little bubble... (105)."
Wow. This sure was a slap in the face, and yet, so true. How often are we--not everyone is like this--found not praying in public because we don't feel comfortable, or going to a Bible study because we are not comfortable, or avoiding any relations with alcoholics and drug addicts because we are not comfortable around them. Many of us, not all, avoid any of these actions that make us uncomfortable, but we were not put on this earth to be comfortable. There will be occasions and even long periods of time where we will never be comfortable. Being in a bubble does not allow us to see the beauty of God or the beauty of people. And if we are afraid to fall into sin, well, God provided us with weapons. Therefore, we need to use them. We can't avoid the world; we might as well live in a rock. But as Christians we know that although we cannot become like the world, we are still in the world and must know how to live in it as children of God.
3) "Jesus was the most capable of shaping culture through his own talents and power--and yet the most culture-shaping event of his life is the result of his choice to abandon his talents and power" (117).
It's interesting to think that Jesus was willing to leave what he learned a child in order to follow His true purpose on earth. I cannot think of a better example than Jesus Christ. I smiled as I read this quote because all though we strive to make ourselves known through our talents and skills, Jesus made Himself known to the whole world through His death. In addition to His divine talents such as healing the sick and bringing people back from the dead--nothing major--He was an incredibly talented and respectful human. Jesus learned from His earthly father, Joseph, the art of carpentry. I think that's incredibly cool! Jesus was a great speaker and had such a way with words. Jesus was an encourager and accepted the unaccepted. This man was loaded with gifts, and yet, He threw that all way just to save us. Sure, Jesus could have used His divine power to save Himself from the cross--what a sight to see. But that would have defeated His purpose of being on earth in first place. God knew what He was doing, and so did Jesus. Sometimes, when we think we know where God is leading us, He can turn it upside down, but still reveals Himself in bigger ways.
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