Different.
That’s who we are.
At least, that’s who we are supposed to be.
Different.
Other.
Unique.
Peculiar.
Holy.
Righteous.
But, different than what?
The world.
What does the Bible mean by the world?
The things opposed to God’s justice and peace.
The things that keep us focused on us and not the other.
In Sunday’s sermon, I tried to show and communicate that we have an opportunity to invest in the things that will last.
The readings from this week encouraged us both to see what is true about our investments and to manifest God’s Kingdom practices in our lives.
Solomon wonders (as many have),
“What do mortals get from all the toil and strain
with which they toil under the sun?”
He seems to say, “What’s the point?”
The Psalmist speaks of,
“The wickedness of those who put their trust in their goods,
and boast of their great riches?”
Noting that,
“We can never ransom ourselves,
or deliver to God the price of our life.”
And wondering, like Solomon, “What’s the point?”
Even Jesus gets in on the conversation in the Gospel reading from Luke.
“Take care! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of possessions.” (Jesus going on to tell a story of someone who felt that they had finally “made it” in life; having all they needed, only to die that day).
Again, seemingly saying, “What’s the point?”
In Colossians, Paul calls us to be different.
He does this in two ways:
“If you have been raised with Christ, Seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth, for you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life is revealed, then you also will be revealed with him in glory.”
Seek and Set.
This is the call for those who have new life.
For those who have been “Raised with Christ.”
The Church.
The Ecclesia.
The “called out ones.”
To seek God’s Kingdom values and to manifest them earth-side like our recitation of the Lord’s Prayer reminds us weekly (Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven).
To manifest the life of Christ in our own bodies through a devotion to live as God has created us: abundantly for others.
To set our affections on the things that really matter: justice, mercy, grace and love (not incomes, retirement accounts, status, big houses, knowing the “in” crowd, etc.)
Remembering that the community of God is to be salt, light, hands and feet to the world.
Showing it different.
Being different.
Valuing different.
Loving different.
Not inclined to suck up everything at the expense of others.
But looking for ways to generously give to those who need.
Not wanting to pursue the values of this world.
But investing in manifesting God’s Kingdom.
Here.
Now.
For the good of others.
To live into the image in which we were created.
The imago dei.
The image of God.
A God of love.
Peace.
Justice.
And mercy.
Blessings,
brad+