I’ve grown weary of all of the negative media. I know you’re thinking, “hey man, where have you been?” I know, I know. But you see, my wife and I just got cable for the first time in our marriage (6 yrs) about six months ago. So, we’re all sorts of exposed to things we had no idea about. It seems like every channel is chocked full of negativity, death, infidelity, horror, injustice and manipulation.
It reminds me of two truths: (1) Food Network is quite possibly from Jesus, and (2) this world is messed up, y’all. It seems as if there’s a better chance of Paula Dean not using butter in a dish over something good actually happening in the world these days. It’s easy for me to believe that this may just be all there is until Jesus returns. It’s easy to shake my head in disappointment and sit back, both depressed that things are the way they are and hopeful that one day things will be different.
But you know, we are really called to turn the world upside down today. To bring Heaven down to earth. To bring the opposite of what we find around us these days. It seems to me that there are too many people waiting for Heaven. Waiting for things to be “right.” I believe God wants us to start that process now. Sure, we’ll never do it perfectly, and sure, we’ll make mistakes. But, we’re not on some joy ride while we live out our days here. God has cast us in his story of creation’s redemption, and in that we have the great privilege to come together and begin to bring Heaven downward.
Bold steps need to be taken. Bold prayers need to be prayed. The ways of Jesus must be priority, and our ways need to take a seat. St. Francis of Assisi said a very bold prayer asking for strength to give of ourselves to meet the needs of others. Perhaps you’ve heard of it before. But, let’s make it more than something we can quote and echo the prayer for ourselves. Think of the situations you’re involved in that require these things of you.
Lord, make me an instrument of your peace,
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy;
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born into eternal life.
Let’s take hold of these character traits and show Jesus to each other. It may just be bold enough to overthrow Food TV as the only thing positive.
Tags: boldness, community, Jesus, love, prayer, redemption, serve, St. Francis of Assisi
I really enjoyed your post. My husband and I could totally relate to your Food Network analogies. Very encouraged from the idea of bringing heaven to earth. Thank you for your words.
Well said, Joshua!!! Let that LOVE flow through us…