Today's note is a bit different. We did not want to burden you with a long note that is heavy on thought and stress. So, we thought we would post the lyrics of a song that helps us keep it all in focus when we do outreach. It always helps us remember who we work for, why we labor and the importance of others. The song is based on the premise that many Christians use slight of hand (i.e. tricks) to cover up their hypocrisy and bias against those that are not like them.
You personally may welcome everyone mos of the time, but we thought it may be a good reminder on what to be on the watch for in our personal lives and the actions of others. No matter how hard we try we are human and our egos do get involved at times when we serve God. We begin to think - this is great because I did this.
We begin to think - we did this, this many people showed up, and that many people got saved. It is easy to slip in to thinking that we are great and those that we help are some how less important then we are, because we are the ones that are getting things done for God. We begin to think we are the only ones being blessed because we are the ones being used by God. Because of thoughts like that, we decide that we must be important, and that makes us better then the rest.
We all have to be careful to avoid being judgmental. As we go through life we can not shy away from some certain people because they are not palatable to us on some vain human level. Lets be sure that we all remember that we are just like them - sinners before God, saved by grace and grace alone.
Anyway, here is part of the Tourniquet song Pecking Order.Like a contest at the fairI hope this helps you as you look at the actions of both yourself and others. I know it helps me, and some of my closest friends. Hopefully it will be helpful too you as well. We want to encourage you to be mindful of both your actions and the actions of others around you.
You're the winner, you're the loser
You're the chosen, I'm the chooser
Too fat, too poor, too black, too pure
Too white, too foreign, too smart, too boring
Hen-pecked hypocrite, myself included
Fails to see, my thoughts diluted
With our judgment, and mind polluted
Comes prevention, from seeing who God created
Politics of the mind, feeds the ego of the blind
Who made you the judge of me
Turn away, just let me be
The notion that we're better than them
The ultimate delusional gem
The notion that we're better than them
The ultimate delusional gem
Look to Him and you will see
The only judge for you and me
Grace and mercy from His throne
Imparts to those He calls His own
Grace and mercy from His throne
Imparts to those He calls His own
As you go through this week, stay strong, be courageous and remember who is it all about. All the lost and hurting people we will see this week are simply me and you, if you are saved, without God in our life. He is the one that is mighty, His glory shall be achieved, and all that He has planned will happen. We can not make any one change without God, and we can not make one person better via our teaching and work without His power. He is the King of kings, Lord of lords, we are simply His servants for this time in this place. Amen and lift a offering. - JUST KIDDING. Seriously, have a great day being God’s hands, feet and mouth to all you meet.
