Dear Friends,
Is your faith disruptive enough?
In the city of Thessalonica, Paul, Silas, and Timothy were staying at the home of a man named Jason when an angry mob showed up at Jason's house shouting, "These men who have caused trouble all over the world have now come here, and Jason has welcomed them into his house. They are all defying Caesar’s decrees, saying that there is another king, one called Jesus" (Acts 17:6-7).
Would that ever happen to you?
Christians are called to be peaceful and to be good neighbors. Our goal isn't to cause conflict. So, most of the time, whether angry mobs storm our houses isn't really a good measure of whether or not we're following Jesus. And yet, the gospel tends to turn things upside down and shake up the status quo in a way that can make people who are comfortable with how things are upset. If nothing we do is controversial, we might be missing what Jesus is doing. What does it look like for us to declare Jesus as our king? What other "kings" might this dethrone or offend? Are we afraid of rejection or criticism? Does that fear keep us from defying the world's expectations?
Pray with me for boldness if you will.
Jesus, you are my king! I have no other. Give me the boldness to submit myself to you in all I do, when it is likely to be popular and when it is likely to be unpopular. Teach me to be like Jason, quietly and peacefully living a radically disruptive life. Amen.
Love in Christ,
Michelle
