Freedom

I never wore braces, but I can surely imagine it is a great relief to have them removed.  Mason is showing his appreciation that they are gone.  It is a great smile, Mason! Congratulations on your freedom.  You look great...I would say handsome, but it might go to your head.  LOL

Well here I go quoting James Chilton again.   I didn't really know what to expect from his first sentence in his encouragement letter today. 

Before he began with his discourse, he quoted Matthew 5:14-16, NIV. “You are the light of the world.  A city on a hill cannot be hidden.  Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.  Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.  In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”

Read his first sentence... Today, let’s have a conversation about Collaborative Christianity. (Read on. You will be glad you did.)  We no longer huddle and hide.  We live and work with unbelievers cheerfully.  We serve a common good.  We get degrees, get skill trades, and take our places alongside unbelievers and we do such an exceptional job that they take note.  This is being the light on the hill that Jesus spoke of in the above text. 

       This is what Joseph did.  He worked for the government, a pagan government.  He carried a light that illuminated his work and his faith.  He believes in Yahweh.  He may be the only believer in the land, but he’s savvy.  He doesn’t assault the culture.  He serves it with his God-given gift.

        From the inside we have a say on the flow of culture.  We serve and trust God to open the doors.  We are bankers, janitors, chemists, engineers, teachers, welders, medical professionals, accountants, and we contribute.  And then we wait.  Joseph had to wait seventeen years in adverse conditions before the unlocking of the door.  We serve a “fullness of time” God.  

        Remember Paul?  He had a gift and a trade.  He supported himself making tents and was asked to speak because of his intellectual position and gift.  It disturbs me when I hear Christians say it is the function of the church to figure out what one's gifts are.  It is our responsibility.  Joseph had no church but figured out what God gave him.  The church builds a family environment whereby we can grow and practice what God has given us, but it is the individual who discovers and deploys.

        Joseph was not hateful toward the Egyptians.  He collaborated.   Colossians 3:23 captures this:  “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (NIV).  Joseph got this right, and because he did, he made a place for himself and his God in history.

        Tangent over.