For the LORD is good;
His love and mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
“All truth is God’s truth”, is something that has stuck with me since I first learned it from my confirmation pastor. Because God created the world with a full set of natural laws, scientists, artists and philosophers who may want nothing to do with a belief in God can indeed make observations and conclusions about life that can be supported by a biblical point of view. For example, I may know nothing about the faith of the man who carved a beautiful butterfly from a block of maple, or the woman who sews a vibrant and warm quilt, or the engineer who designed this computer, but each teach me how to see the beauty of God in what they have done. That truth belongs to God. They may believe in Karma, Buddha, Allah, or nothing at all, it doesn’t take away from their adding to my worship of God.
Notice I didn't give that false idea that all religion is the same because it is not but that is a subject for another time. Truth however is the same for Truth comes from God. The Psalms is a great place to learn that.
You might be wondering why this is important. It’s important because it could potentially turn our whole day into one continuous time of worship. Here’s how. It all relates to our attitude and ability to perceive God in the world around us.
First, we don’t have to look away from the world to worship God. After all, God created the world. This is good news since we all, of necessity, have to pay a good deal of attention to the world in order to live here. The world is our address. (for now) Remember as Christians we live “in” the world but are not “of the world”. In other words we are working and growing here but it is just the beginning of the journey in Christ.
When we build and touch the hearts and minds of others by bringing Christ into their lives, we begin to understand how living in the world and worshiping God can happen at the same time. When we understand and live the example of Christ in our own lives we learn how to show the good, love, mercy & truth to others. This allows us to turn more of our life into worship and service—potentially, all of it. We can live our devotions at work, at school, at the movies, at the ballpark, at the gym, during sickness and stressful times, and times of health and plenty. We can use all times to focus on God.
Secondly, our ability to find truth in our culture provides points of connection that prove valuable to our mission, which is to love others and tell them about Christ. If we do not live in the world and speak about things that are relevant to others lives, we become self centered crack pots, that no one wants to listen to.
The clearest example of this in the scriptures comes by way of Paul, who, when he was in Athens addressing the Greek Epicurean and Stoic philosophers, chose things from their culture (words of their own poets) and even their pagan religion (an idol to an unknown god) to help convey his message about Christ. He didn’t say, “You’re all wrong and I'm right.” He said, “You’re right about this, this, and this… now based on that, please consider the following...” (Acts 17:16-34)
All this to say: THINK, LISTEN, pay attention to others needs. Keep your eyes open and your spiritual insights working at all times. Make friends and develop true relationships, not just the surface kind. DON'T try to change others, change yourself! and your example will LEAD the way to Him. Don't compromise your values but don't rub people’s noses in their sin. REMEMBER we are sinners too. (The only difference is Grace which you did not, and can not earn, but which is given through the sacrifice of Christ) When witnessing remember the 3 L's LISTEN, LIVE IT, LOVE. When we model these things people are much more attracted to the message.
In Faith, Hope & Love,
The Church Mouse
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