pramsay posted on July 24, 2007 07:15 1449 views
You’re Really Into That Stuff?

“I can’t believe it! Wasn’t he nominated as the city’s ‘Most Likely to Succeed’ person? Maybe people weren’t clamoring for his autograph just yet – but his popularity was rising fast! Man, he turned into a loser overnight!”

Another person chimed in: “He certainly knew his stuff. I figured he’d be next in line to Rabbi Gamaliel as a Jewish theologian. He hobnobbed with the rich and famous for sure. He had access to the highest levels of government. Some speculated that he’d get a whopping plum position on the powerful Sanhedrin…..but whatever happened to him! Wow, he sure fell off his pedestal.”

“He sure did,” Alphonses said, “…off his pedestal and off his rocker, if you ask me! The guy lost it. He’s a real embarrassment.”

I’m sure the Apostle Paul felt the reproach of being identified with Christ. He was aware of the snickers and the sneers, the whispers, the rolling eyes, the rude hand gestures and all the nasty gossip going on behind his back – not to mention the in-your-face opposition he experienced after he became a believer.

Others were ashamed and embarrassed of Paul but how did Paul feel? Listen to his upbeat, confident and happy words as he writes to the Christians in Rome:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation
to every one that believeth…”

(Romans 1:16)

Disinherited by his relatives; disowned by his former associates and nearest friends; debarred from his influential position and discredited by his countrymen – quite a loss! You don’t experience all of those things and not ‘feel’ it. Yes he ‘felt’ it.

Paul was not oblivious to the ridicule and reproach he suffered. Had he been, he would not have mentioned it. But on numerous occasions he writes about such experiences. In Philippians 3, he tells us he “suffered the loss of all thingsfor Christ. But he sure wasn’t crying with regret. He was rejoicing that he had gained Christ.

If you have nothing but have Christ – you have everything. If you have everything but no Christ – you have nothing.

Friends and even family members don’t have to do or say very much for us to understand that we’re really not on the same wave length as they are. For a moment we feel the hurt of being on the outside of their little circle. We feel the embarrassment of being the subject of their whispers or snickers.

For a minute we almost don’t feel very good about ourselves and our confidence goes out the window even over small things. We feel dumb and very not-with-it. We feel belittled when they incredulously ask: “Are you really into that stuff?

If that feeling sweeps over you today, just take a quick break to the washroom or to a quiet corner and lift your heart to the Lord. Ask HIM to give you the strength and courage you need to keep a smile on your face and joy in your heart. You couldn’t go to a better One when you are feeling ‘left out’ or on the outside. If anyone understands rejection, humiliation, being misunderstood and being on the outside – as well as the hurt of whispers and snubbing – it is Christ Himself. Go to Him in quiet prayer when you’re feeling that way.

And then for a moment, think about the power that changed your life and your eternal destiny. No longer Hell – Heaven is your home. You have what your friends and co-workers don’t yet have. You have Christ and eternal salvation. Repeat what Paul wrote: “For I am NOT ashamed of the Gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Rejected down here but accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:6. The loss of earthly things but…. the gain? Christ Himself!

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