What Do People See in You?
John Hess-Yoder was a missionary in Laos. While overseas he discovered some historical facts about the area that pictures the Kingdom of God.
Before the colonialists decided where the official boundaries of Laos and Vietnam would exist, the kings of Laos and Vietnam agreed on how to choose who would pay taxes to which kingdom. Those who ate short-grain rice, built their houses on stilts, and decorated their houses with Indian-stye serpents were considered Laotians. Those who ate long-grain rice, built their houses on the ground, and decorated their houses with Chinese-style dragons were considered Vietnamese. That is how they decided to which kingdom taxes would be paid.
Nationality was not decided by where a person’s home sat. Nationality was decided by the cultural values that they exhibited.
That also is true for those of us who are Christians. We all live in this world, and our world has certain beliefs and patterns. However, if you are part of the Kingdom of God, there is a different standard by which we must live. We must live for our King.
Philippians 3:20 states: “Our citizenship is in heaven, and we eagerly wait for a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Our goal is not to amass stuff. Our goal is not to amass power. Our goal is not to garner popularity.
Our goal is to live for God and His Kingdom.
Yet, we still live here surrounded by other ideas and ideals. We are tempted to follow along with the culture, but we have an important job that we should be doing instead. We read what that job is in 2 Corinthians 5:20: “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making His appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, ‘Be reconciled to God.’”
Instead of allowing a culture in opposition to God to guide us, we must (as ambassadors of God’s Kingdom) encourage others to realize what is truly important. We must share the hope of Jesus. We must help others see how they can become part of God’s Kingdom. We must help others see they need to be reconciled to God.
When Dr. Jay Cook is asked to share a little of himself; his reply is, “Good question. I ask it a lot.” His delight is sharing that he is a blessed man – married to a wonderful woman (Kristi Cook) – and awed by his two amazing kids (Jameson & Amelia Rose). He has served in ministry for over 30 years and loves to help others in any way he can. Jay is the Associational Missions Strategist for the Leake County Baptist Association, and a part of an amazing new church (3:16 church) in Canton, MS. He also helps other churches (as he is able) through revivals, conferences, or however God leads. He shares his thoughts of a man just trying to live for Jesus (and wanting to help others do the same) through his blog at Dr. Jay Cook.
Image by Ricarda Mölck from Pixabay
Yes, God is light and if We are of God, People should see light in us.