"Your greatest contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something you do, but someone you raise." ~Andy Stanley

January 23, 2007

Wednesdays in the Word

I thought I'd take Wednesdays to share something from my favorite book of all time, the Bible.

Isn't it amazing how self absorbed we are when we are teens and young adults. (It either mellows with age or my laid back hubby is rubbing off on me) Some where along the line, we realize that the whole world isn't watching us and doesn't care if we are having a bad hair day and if our shoes don't look really look good with that outfit. But we all get insecure at times and worry about what people think of us. With that in mind, I saw Galatians chapter 2 in a new light. Here's what I got out of it:

1. An apostle blew it and got caught up in what others thought of him. Peter - "Before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles but when they came, he withdrew..." (v.12 ) And we all know this unfortunately wasn't the first time that Peter let the opinions of others get him in trouble. (hear a cock crowing?)

2. The man whose name means 'son of encouragement' who helped Saul to be accepted by the brethren got in trouble with this too. Barnabus- "so even Barnabus was carried away with their hypocrisy." (v. 13) -Not too encouraging!

3. Paul was different. He was totally unconcerned. "...from those who seemed to be something-whatever they were it makes no difference to me." (v.6 ) Don't you love Paul? He didn't have hang ups with this. Then he reminds us that God "shows personal favoritism to no man." What a blessing!

We've got to remember verse 20 that reminds us that we have been "crucified with Christ." We are no longer even living! Our flesh wants to rise up in us and be concerned or bent out of shape about what others may think of us, that is for sure. But, it is Christ that is living in us now! : ) We know He never got caught up in any of this, like Peter, Barnabus and I have.

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