Sloths and Shakespeare
Recently, I avoided a test given by God. These tests have a way of coming back again and again; either we have failed them or we need reminding of who we are and what we believe. Sure enough, a few days later, the situation arose again and this time there was no getting out of it. I cringed with no means of escape- it was an ‘acknowledge Christ’ moment.
In Matthew 10:32 Jesus says, ‘Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.’
This passage has pained me for over two decades. It has bothered me, kept me awake at night and convicted me. I have often said to God, ‘It’s not fair, if other Christians declare their faith publically, they get a pat on the back and everyone’s proud of them; their Christian families stand in agreement. For me, it is the elephant in the room, the subject that rocks the boat, receives rejection and disapproval. It makes me feel like a trouble maker.’
As a Christian in a non- Christian family, it has been very hard at times to declare what I believe and not quake in my shoes whilst doing so.
The incident led to confrontation and upset. I had disturbed the status quo and was the bad guy- again. With a heavy heart, I cried out to God- ‘What Jesus asks of us is more difficult for some, than others and it’s not fair!’
But in Proverbs it says, ‘…do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.’ (Proverbs 3:12)
The situation caused the truth to surface- I wasn’t just afraid, I was embarrassed to acknowledge Christ before my family because the disapproval makes me feel shame.
After confessing this before God and a close friend, I was able to say to my family, (in peace and confidence), that I’m Christian and not ashamed of my faith.
Something broke, an invisible chain.
Later that day, God gave me understanding and insight into what had happened and made it relatable to what I was currently reading in Genesis. Abraham and Jacob both did things that might have seemed sensible or pro-active but were wrong because they didn’t show trust in God’s protection or provision. Abraham lied, saying his wife was his sister and Jacob turned to divination to increase his flock.
But God’s will prevailed in the end, the truth came out because God revealed it to Pharaoh and Jacob later acknowledged that God was behind the wealth he had accumulated.
The truth comes out in the end.
It sounds simple, but in that moment it was profound to me, like a wave washing over me. God gave me understanding when I obeyed and spoke the truth. ‘Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ (John 8:32)
Shakespeare wrote, ‘This, above all else, to thine own self be true… thou canst not then be false to anyone else.’
Every time we acknowledge Christ before others, we stop pleasing people and become authentic. A chain breaks. Over time it re-forges and we have to confess with ours mouths again for it to be broken. It is not a once and for all test. In that moment, where I cringe and avoid people’s eyes, I am weak but when I confess and cry out, then God makes me strong and I am able to pass the test.
The more we avoid, the more we become spiritual sloths- moving but very slowly.
The more we confess, the easier it becomes and shame loses its grip.
Christ came to free the captives.
Amen.
- Jesse Kaur
In Matthew 10:32 Jesus says, ‘Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven.’
This passage has pained me for over two decades. It has bothered me, kept me awake at night and convicted me. I have often said to God, ‘It’s not fair, if other Christians declare their faith publically, they get a pat on the back and everyone’s proud of them; their Christian families stand in agreement. For me, it is the elephant in the room, the subject that rocks the boat, receives rejection and disapproval. It makes me feel like a trouble maker.’
As a Christian in a non- Christian family, it has been very hard at times to declare what I believe and not quake in my shoes whilst doing so.
The incident led to confrontation and upset. I had disturbed the status quo and was the bad guy- again. With a heavy heart, I cried out to God- ‘What Jesus asks of us is more difficult for some, than others and it’s not fair!’
But in Proverbs it says, ‘…do not resent His rebuke, because the Lord disciplines those he loves.’ (Proverbs 3:12)
The situation caused the truth to surface- I wasn’t just afraid, I was embarrassed to acknowledge Christ before my family because the disapproval makes me feel shame.
After confessing this before God and a close friend, I was able to say to my family, (in peace and confidence), that I’m Christian and not ashamed of my faith.
Something broke, an invisible chain.
Later that day, God gave me understanding and insight into what had happened and made it relatable to what I was currently reading in Genesis. Abraham and Jacob both did things that might have seemed sensible or pro-active but were wrong because they didn’t show trust in God’s protection or provision. Abraham lied, saying his wife was his sister and Jacob turned to divination to increase his flock.
But God’s will prevailed in the end, the truth came out because God revealed it to Pharaoh and Jacob later acknowledged that God was behind the wealth he had accumulated.
The truth comes out in the end.
It sounds simple, but in that moment it was profound to me, like a wave washing over me. God gave me understanding when I obeyed and spoke the truth. ‘Then you will know the truth and the truth shall set you free.’ (John 8:32)
Shakespeare wrote, ‘This, above all else, to thine own self be true… thou canst not then be false to anyone else.’
Every time we acknowledge Christ before others, we stop pleasing people and become authentic. A chain breaks. Over time it re-forges and we have to confess with ours mouths again for it to be broken. It is not a once and for all test. In that moment, where I cringe and avoid people’s eyes, I am weak but when I confess and cry out, then God makes me strong and I am able to pass the test.
The more we avoid, the more we become spiritual sloths- moving but very slowly.
The more we confess, the easier it becomes and shame loses its grip.
Christ came to free the captives.
Amen.
- Jesse Kaur
Tagged with Jesse Kaur
No Comments