Inside Perspective - May 2014
My Dear Family in Christ,
Ever precious greetings in the name of our Lord Jesus
Christ!
I have coined a saying in the Greenhouse which states,
"A good gardener never leaves a footprint." This saying sprang out of my habit
of always using my leaf rake last, when doing my chores.
If you were to come and see our greenhouse garden, you
would never know that anyone- namely me- has ever been there. Whether I am
weeding, planting plugs, or doing any type of daily chore, these tasks all leave
a plethora of footprints. But faithfully, the last thing I do is to remove my
footprints with my leaf rake. Then, and only then, is my job really finished!
It is my firm conviction, that when a person gazes
upon a bed of flowers, that “said footprints” would detract from its beauty.
Even when my fellow workers are done with their chores, it is not long before I
am found behind them with my leaf rake removing their footprints. Is this
obsessive? Perhaps! Although, I prefer to think that this is diligent and
conscientious.
Honestly, the fellas get a kick out of it and
sometimes, in jest, they plant footprints (no pun intended) to get my goat!
Then- as if that is not enough- they will wager on how long it will take me to
notice and get out my leaf rake to remove them! Rascals, I tell you! But there
are other much more serious “footprints” in our world. For instance, there is an
on-going debate in the geopolitical world concerning what is termed the
footprint of the United States. In this venue, the footprint they are speaking
about is America's influence in other nations, militarily and otherwise.
So for example, what is our moral obligation to act,
if any, should a foreign dictator begin killing his own people? To what degree
should we intervene, if at all, and for how long? Should we leave a long-term
"footprint" in other nations if it is to our national benefit? These are hard
questions to be sure, and the opinions, as we know, are many and varied.
Some have the isolationist viewpoint, which espouses
the idea that we should just take care of ourselves; unless of course, we as a
nation are existentially threatened. They would choose to not even make a
footprint in the first place. It is their opinion that we should not expend our
military or our treasure (finances) except in self-defense. “Live and let live”
is their mantra, and they go to sleep in peace repeating it.
On the other hand, there are people who assert an
opposing view. They argue that words without action are moot, and so, they chose
to act on their beliefs. “Peace through strength” was found to be wise, “trust
but verify” was proven to be wiser. The belief is, that because of the great
blessings we have received in America, it naturally follows that we have a clear
moral obligation to help others. This leads to the desire that the United States
should position itself as the world’s “policeman” to promote good on a global
level. Still, others would call this Imperialism.
All perspectives have their strengths and weaknesses.
And the beauty of our freedom in America is that we may align with them or not,
as we see fit. Freedom is indeed wonderful, but in its train is a distinct moral
responsibility, if not accountability. This is the natural outcome of the
choices that we make.
It is written, "Preach the Word; be ready in
season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and
doctrine." (2Tim. 4:2)
Beloved, it is our mandate to leave a “Christian
footprint” in the lives of others. There are no coincidences! Everyone that is
in our path, whether at work or play, is there by divine providence! Embrace the
truth as such, and see your day as the missionary journey that it really is and
leave a joyful footprint!
For instance, have you ever thought of your trip to
the supermarket as a “missionary journey”, or are you perhaps an isolationist?
Sadly, the Christian isolationist chooses to not even make a footprint. His
freedom in Christ is wonderful, but he forgets that the Judgment Seat of Christ
follows in its train!
Maybe the thought of a super-market missionary has
never entered your mind? Perhaps you are too focused on the list of food that
you need, thus missing the “spiritual food” that
unbelievers are so in need of? Beloved, “live and let live” is the mantra of the
lazy believer, and he repeats it to himself while people are going to hell all
around him!
I am not saying that we need to be “imperialistic
Christians” and make others listen to us. No, we do not need to leave a negative
footprint on the necks of others. But I am persuaded that there is a perfect
balance, and in our daily circumstances, God can create opportunities for us to
witness.
As believers, we are so blessed of God! Therefore,
what is our moral obligation to witness? To what degree should we intervene in
the lives of others? Good questions, right?! We will do well to answer them
according to the Book.
It is my prayer that we are not obsessive in the
covering up of our “Christian footprint “ in fear of what others may think!
Therefore beloved, I have coined a new saying...
"A GOOD CHRISTIAN ALWAYS LEAVES A FOOTPRINT!"
JOYFULLY IN JESUS,
LOVE PHILIP