The Butt of the Pork Roast

I was recently in a setting where I was reminded of how ridiculous it is to listen to newlywed couples’ silly bickering in an effort to adjust to one another’s ways of doing things.

You aren’t supposed to do dishes on the right side of the sink and rinse them on the left!  You do it backwards!
Not only is her potato soup too thick, she puts carrots and celery in it!  When I eat potato soup, I want potato soup!

Differing ways of doing things can cause tension even in the best of relationships, including those in a Christian community.  The tendency is to assume that our way is the best way and to consider any other way as bizarre.  Often our way is simply a developed habit that we’ve never even considered.  The following is a good example:

Husband: Honey, why do you always cut the end of the pork roast off before you place it into the roaster?
Wife: I really don’t know!  That’s just what mom always did.  I’ll call and ask her.

Daughter: Mom, why do you always cut the end off of the pork roast before you put it in the roaster.
Mom: I really don’t know!  That’s just what grandma always did.  I’ll call and ask her.

Mom: Mom, why did you always cut the end off of the pork roast before you put it into the roaster?
Grandma: Because I didn’t have a big enough roasting pan.

Before criticizing someone else’s approach and assuming that yours is better, it would be wise to consider:

• Fools have no interest in understanding;
 they only want to air their own opinions.
Proverbs 18:2

• “Why do I do it the way I do?”  You may find that you really don’t know!
• the other person’s way of doing it.  You may find that it is better.
• that it never hurts to learn more than one way.  You may need an alternative someday!
• “Is sharing my opinion in this situation really necessary?”
• that it is encouraging for other people to feel as though they occasionally have something worthwhile to offer.

While there is certainly nothing wrong with considerately sharing an opinion or a piece of knowledge, a “know it all” is only exposing his foolishness (Proverbs 12:23)!

In Paul’s letter to the Christian community in Philippi, he writes, 

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.  Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others (Philippians 2:1-4 (NASB)).

If you truly desire to be a part of a community united in love, be careful about assuming that your way is the only way and condescendingly voicing your opinion.  Not only is this very detrimental to community relationships, you could end up being the butt of the pork roast!

Whole-Heartedly,
Bonnie
P.S.  Please feel free to contact me with questions, thoughts, topics you’d like to ponder or to read past articles at: http://whole-heartedlife.blogspot.com/.  You may also contact me at:
             Bonnie Jaeckle
             In Search of the Whole-Hearted Life
             Diagonal Progress
             505 Jefferson St.
             Diagonal, IA 50845

NATIONALISM - OUR FATHER'S NATION

When trying to assess problems of this world, we tend to look upon some nations as bad and others as good. However, Scripture clearly states that the “prince of this world” (Satan) is behind them all. [Jn. 14:30, 1Jn. 5:19]

While showing Him “all the kingdoms of the world,” Satan said to Jesus, ‘I will give You all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want.” [Luke 4:6-7] Jesus didn’t argue; He knew that when Adam and Eve sinned, they forfeited their authority over all the earth to Satan. Regardless of what we want to believe, the “god of this present evil age” (Satan) is determined to use every nation for opposing the Kingdom of God. [Ps. 2:1-3]

God’s prophet, Samuel tried his best to warn of the disastrous results of seeking a human king for hope and solutions to problems. In stark contrast to God who longs to give everything, a king enslaves by taking everything! [1 Sam. 8:10-18]

Samuel foresaw where it would all end,

“When that day comes, you will cry out for relief from the king you have chosen, and the LORD will not answer you in that day.” Vs. 18

“But the people refused to listen to Samuel. “No!” they said. “We want a king over us. Then we will be like all the other nations, with a king to lead us and to go out before us and fight our battles.” … The LORD answered, “… give them a king.” Vs. 19-22

When God, said, “Give them a king,” He was not blessing this role. Instead, because of man’s sinful nature He ordered it! Since then, every earthly nation has had a “king” who rules them, but never The King.

Jesus has never been in the business of defending any earthly nation. Instead, He has always been in the business of demolishing them so that He can save His people and build His Kingdom which “is not of this world!” [John 18:36] Jesus came to establish a Kingdom that would stand apart from and against all the kingdoms of this world. Why? Because all the kingdoms of this world stand against Him!

“The descendents of Abraham [those who believe in Jesus] admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country - a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” [Heb 11:13-16]

Who are the people of God’s nation? They are not those of any particular geographical location. Rather, they proclaim no allegiance to any earthly kingdom; nor are they shaken when the depravity of this world is exposed. They are confident that Father, God uses all things for their good and His glory! It is those who believe and are blessed with the hope and security of their citizenship in heaven! These are His Nation!

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,
the people He chose for His inheritance. [Ps.33:12]


Whole-Heartedly,Bonnie