As I sit looking out my window at the snow coming down (on April dadgum 5th!) I’m reminded that my life is pretty good.
Most of the difficulties in my life are fairly minor inconveniences in the grand scheme of things.
Some things are bigger than others (like the amount of money my retirement annuity has lost in the past few weeks), but I still have a really good life.
I’m aware that not everyone can say that.
And I need to remember the truth that IT’S NOT ALL ABOUT ME.
My convenience and comfort is not the most important thing.
Getting my way is not the most important thing.
Winning is not the most important thing.
I fear that too many of us have forgotten that.
Every time I read Acts 5, these verses get under my skin:
“They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name” (Acts 5:40-41).
The Message version says, they were “overjoyed because they had been given the honor of being dishonored.”
Overjoyed?
The honor of dishonor?
How do we typically deal with being dishonored?
Retaliation.
Anger.
Finger pointing.
Excuses.
You can probably think of a few more.
What was it about these guys that caused this nonsensical response?
Here’s a clue: they were dishonored because of their unreserved surrender to “the Name.”
What name?
Jesus.
Jesus was not a means to an end for them. Jesus wasn’t a mascot to help them gain success and popularity.
Jesus—Himself—was the end goal, the destination, the prize above all prizes.
And living in the Way of Jesus was worth whatever it might cost them.
After their rejoicing, they demonstrated their surrender to the Way of Jesus:
“Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah” (5:42).
If I can’t manage to follow the Way of Jesus in the life that I have, I should be ashamed.
If the inconveniences of my life motivate me to minimize the suffering of others, I should be ashamed.
If my personal welfare causes me to align myself with the perpetrators of injustice rather than with those who suffer injustice, I should be ashamed.
And maybe through that shame I could understand the honor of being dishonored.
Be amazing today, my friend.
