Scripture I'm reflecting on: Matthew 5:41
"If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles"
There are many different messages and reflections that come from Jesus' words in this verse. I will focus this brief reflection on one specific message, one specific thing I believe Jesus is calling us to do; be great in representing God.
Reflection:
Mediocrity has become the standard of our world these days. Doing the minimum to get by is the general norm in our country. Fit in, blend in, go with the flow is the way American's minds are trained. This is not however, how Christians should be....
College athletes entering into the professional ranks are often given the following advice: "When deciding whether to do something, ask yourself whether you would be ok with the newspaper printing out the story of what you are about to do." Imagine someone is watching you. How many of us act differently when our boss is there, our wife is with us, "someone prominent" is watching, vs. when no one is around? It's easy to slack off when we are not being watched. It's easy to leave a piece of trash on the ground we drop when no one is looking. It's easy to walk past a mess in the store when no one is watching. But the reality is, we are being watched. Not always by our boss, wife, friends, pastors....but by somone of infinitely more importance...God.
Jesus has called us all to be great. The easiest way for us to continue to do this is to remember that we are representing God at all times. God sees us when we put the cereal back on the shelf in the wrong place. God sees us when avoid talking to our friends and family because we are tired or busy. God sees us when we avoid someone so we don't have to expend energy helping them with something. We are always representing God.
As I write this I am reminded of the story of Rebekah. When Abraham sent his servant out to find Issac a wife, his servant found Rebekah and asked for some water after a long journey. Rebekah could have easily satisfied him, and done her part, by giving him water. This would have been admirable in itself. But she went above and beyond. She decided to be great. She not only supplied the servant with water, but all of his camels as well. Anyone who knows how much water camels need after a long journey knows how much Rebekah went above and beyond to do this task. God enjoyed this. And at the end of the day, God's grace blessed Rebekah with many glorius gifts.
We are called to be an example. Believe me, whether you realize it or not, you are being watched as a Christian in this country. People want reasons to discredit us, people want to find flaws in us. Don't give them these reasons. Whether its something as big as committing a crime, or something as small as picking up a candy wrapper, make sure God sees you being great, and representing him as He has called us to do.
Final Thought:
I was the person who would throw something back on a shelf in the wrong place just so I didn't have to inconveniance myself. I would complain about a mess someone made, or walk past something on the ground, to avoid having to do something about it myself. I was the person who did the minimum amount to complete my work, then spent the rest of the work day slacking off. I've been able to change this attitude through my faith, and its been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. Little things like my sister making a mess don't bother me as much anymore. There's no stress involved with avoiding situations that I think will "inconvenience" me. And since I have made this "attitude adjustment", I have noticed so many more blessings coming into my life on a regular basis.
Honor God with your day to day life. Don't just go to church. Don't just say a nightly prayer. But honor Him in everything that we do. Not only will you please God, but you will find yourself living a happier life. And whether its right away or down the road, you will see opportunities, blessings, and rewards appear in your life from honoring God.
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