Stimulation--the little piece of dust that irritates the crap out of an oyster until a pearl is produced. Working in athletics, churches, and now educational institutions (and I guess as the parent of 3 kids too!) is a lot about stimulating things: thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, beliefs. It is in these arenas that 21st century Jesus-followers live, loving people the way he did.
2 comments:
Ah...then we should reconsider the "irritant" that created the pearl. It is not an irritant at all but a catalyst to producing the gem.
I'm with ya Bro. - Mar
Maybe, but when it's bothering the oyster, changing it from irritant to catalyst doesn't make it any less irritating! That view only makes sense looking backwards, and then it definitely is true.
I think, though, that many people today are willing to skip the "irritating catalyst" or "catalying irritant" and settle for the fake pearls of the comfortable life. That's what I would like to be different about those who follow Jesus.
Interesting...as I wrote Jesus' name the Writings came to mind: "Who for the joy set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12.2). Certainly Jesus looks back on his suffering death on the cross as a catalyst for many good things (the salvation of the world comes to mind), but he still despised the shame of it.
Post a Comment