Bucking the cultural trend

From The Pastor’s Pen – By Brian Horrobin

There is a common meme these days that pops up frequently on social media outlets.

There is more than one but the general gist of it says something like, “Get rid of the toxic, negative people in your life who are a blight and a mildew on your joy and freedom. Just cut ‘em loose and look after yourself.”

That’s a paraphrase, but you get the idea.

The problem is, Jesus never did this.

He made time for tax swindlers, prostitutes, lepers, and anyone else whose life was a mess and couldn’t ‘do’ anything for Him.

Recently, though, I read a terrific meme posted by a Facebook friend that bucks this cultural trend of the world and sounded much more Jesus-like.

It said this: “Don’t cross oceans for people who wouldn’t cross a puddle for you.”

This phrase was crossed out, by the way, and then the meme continued: “No, do it. Do cross oceans for people. Love people, all people. No conditions attached, no wondering whether or not they’re worthy. Cross oceans, climb mountains. Life and love isn’t about what you gain, it’s about what you give.”

Jesus was a giver, not a getter, but He would be out of step with most of the drivel posted on social media today.

He was an “against the flow” kind of guy in the first century, and He would be one today, too, if He was still walking the earth.

However, His followers don’t always take His lead, and that’s a shame.

My friend who posted this meme also commented in her post with words that were honest and thought-provoking. She said, “This is what I am striving for but it is really hard to do. Gonna keep working at it!!”

I couldn’t agree more!

- Advertisment -