Nuggets #27

An Unstoppable Force by Erwin McManus
Epilogue Chapter Ten A Radical Minimum Standard

"There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom. But nobody remembered that poor man. So I said, 'Wisdom is better than strength.' But the poor man's wisdom is despised, and his words are no longer heeded" (Ecclesiastes 9:14-16)

Perhaps we have underestimated our capacity. Maybe being created in the image and likeness of the Creator God still means something. Could one poor man with the wisdom of God really rise up to set an entire city free? And what would motivate those he delivered to despise him? Is there a conspiracy of mediocrity? Are we unwitting enemies of nobility and heroism? In Australia it's called "cutting the tall poppy." We choose to live where apathy is normal and average is the goal. Occasionally, some refuse to cooperate. They rise out of the rubble of decadence and conformity, and by the power of God, they show us a new way. They shock us into reality. They force us to accept responsibility. They inspire and require us to consider a new way to be human.

Look for those in your sphere of influence who are the 'tall poppy'. Those who call attention to things that aren't quite right, the things that need to be tightened up, the things that aren't Biblical, the things that are sinful, and the things that are masked as 'cutting corners'. Look at your life and ask if you're telling yourself, "in the grand scheme of things it really doesn't matter". In reality, it probably does matter, not just for your own sake, but for the sake of those who are watching you. You are modeling Christ, whether you realize it or not. Moldable baby Christians are learning what's right and what's wrong and they're learning it by watching those around them. And since more is caught than taught, it's important that we all re-evaluate ourselves continuously. It's a huge responsibility, being in the family of God. Don't take it lightly.