The Ways of Power and Influence
To the Western ear a “gift” given with the clear intent to secure a favor or benefit sounds more akin to a bribe. We’d be less than honest, however, to pretend that our own motives in giving are always pure.
Have you ever given a gift to a boss or co-worker in hopes of gaining favor? Have you ever gifted a neighbor in hopes they might one day feel obliged to pick up your mail or newspaper while you go on vacation? And even when the giving is a two-way exchange, have you ever felt that twinge of disappointment when the gift you opened is in some way less than the one you gave?
Do-Overs
Author Dr. Seuss says in his book The Lorax, "Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
Perhaps you've heard the inspiring story of former Mayor Anthony Williams. Williams was born to an unwed teen who gave him up. He was known as a "problem child" in foster care. By age three, little Anthony had still never spoken a word. It seemed that a pattern for his life was set, that is, until two warm and caring people took a chance on him.
Anthony was taken in by an opera-singing postal clerk and her equally generous-hearted husband. He soon began to speak and eventually thrived in their home. He excelled academically and later attended both Harvard and Yale Universities.
In 1998, he came from obscurity to win 66% of the vote to become mayor in one of the world’s major cities. In his inaugural address, Williams said: "Forty-four years ago, my parents adopted me and gave me a second chance. I feel this city has now adopted me and I will give to it everything my parents taught me about love, service, commitment."
It’s no doubt that, had he never been adopted into his particular family, Williams life would have been wholly different. He was saved by a second chance. He got a do-over on his birth family.
Haven’t you been given do-overs on relationships, jobs, blown opportunities and the like? Haven't you benefited from the generosity of someone who cared? Hasn't God been generous toward you, granting you countless do-overs?
"Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It's not."
"Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience" (Colossians 3:12).
Keeping Our Eyes on the Banner of Freedom
When the Americans first occupied Manila, many prisoners that had been imprisoned for "political offenses" were set free. One of these crimes, according to the Spanish government, which then ruled the Philippines, was reading the Bible. One day a man came to famed Christian missionary Dr. Homer Stuntz, and asked to see him in strict privacy. He then asked in a whisper if it were true that he could now read his Bible without danger of imprisonment. Dr. Stuntz took him to the door and asked him to look at the American flag floating near by. Then he said, "So long as you see that flag floating over your country, you can sit on the ridgepole of your house, if you want to, and read the Bible, and no one can molest you."
Surely the American flag -- the banner of our freedom -- can offer one measure of assurance. Yet there is an infinitely (and eternally) greater banner under which we can claim not just our freedom, but our boldness to excercise such freedom, and that is the Cross of Christ. It is the symbol of our freedom from the bondage of the world, the flesh, and the devil. And it is likewise the symbol of our calling to boldly persist against pressure, persecution, and even penalty.
"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery" (Galatians 5:1, NIV).
"So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36, NIV).