In his book Conversion, E. Stanley Jones—a spiritual confidant of Mahatma Gandhi—tells of his experiences as an evangelist in a Christian community in India. "Everyone," explains a blogger for Developmental Associates International, "including the sweeper, enjoyed one day off each week. The sweeper’s work included cleaning the latrines, because this was before the days of flush toilets. Typically, only the “untouchables” would touch a job like that."
“But,” writes Jones, “we each volunteered. One day, I said to a Brahmin convert who was hesitating to volunteer, ‘Brother C., when are you going to volunteer for latrine duty?’ He shook his head slowly and said, ‘Brother Stanley, I’m converted, but I’m not converted that far.’”
E. Stanley Jones, 1884-1973, was a Methodist preacher and teacher. He traveled and ministered extensively throughout India. A friend and confident of both Ghandi and Nheru, he was often dubbed the Billy Graham of India and was once nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for his work of reconciliation in that country. He authored many theological works and devotionals.
"Many of us are converted," says author Kent Crockett, "but not that far. Godly slaves aren't choosy about their jobs. They simple obey whatever the Master tells them to do. Godly slaves don't say:
"You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal's death on a cross" (Philippians 2:6-8, NLT).
Kent Crockett graduated from Texas A&M University and Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and is the senior pastor of the Church of Living Water in Prattville, Alabama. He is the author of The 911 Handbook, Making Today Count for Eternity, and I Once Was Blind but Now I Squint, and has been published in a number of Christian magazines.
On the famous tv show "The Fresh Price of Bel-Air," Will Smith was always portrayed as a troubled youth with a dismal future, in contrast to his acting counter-character, Carlton Banks, who was destined for greatness. Carlton was accepted into Princeton, while Will had no college acceptance letter, no job, and no plans. But fast forward a decade or so and step over into real life. Will Smith would become Hollywood's top-paid actor while Carlton (Alfonso Ribeiro) is lucky to get a minor acting role every now and then.
I realize its a tv show, but it's amazing how God has a way of flipping the script in our lives!
"All those who heard him were astonished and asked, "Isn't he the man who raised havoc in Jerusalem among those who call on this name? And hasn't he come here to take them as prisoners to the chief priests?" (Acts 9:21).
One of the world's worst stinks, under the right conditions, can be turned into the world's most attractive scents. Ken Wilman learned all about this after his dog became overly interested in what looked like a rock lying on a beach. Curious, he picked it up, sniffed it, and dropped it with an 'urgh.
After a bit of research Wilman learned the stinky object is actually whale vomit (called ambergris) and quite rare and highly prized by perfume makers. Under the heat of the sun the pungent ambergris turns from horrifically offensive to the most pleasant of smells. A French dealer has already offered Wilman over $50,000 for his seven pound chunk of whale up-chuck.
Conversion is more than the miracle of salvation; it involves the transformation of our affections from the love of the world to the love of heavenly things. Alone, we can't make that change; but by walking in the glorious light of the Son, as we worship, pray, and seek to serve God, we are transformed into the most pleasing of aromas in the nostrils of God.
Ephesians 5:2 says, "And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us, and given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling fragrance."