When I get up in the morning, I usually go to the bathroom. I walk into the room, walk out, go to my room, get my headlamp and then go back (there is no light in the bathroom). I do my business, and then walk out, grab a bucket, fill it with water, and pour it in to flush.
I was talking to Conner the other day about mototaxies. When I get on one, I don’t pray that God will protect me (yes, mom, they are relatively safe, everyone uses them…) but still, I am zooming around the city on a motorcycle. But, nonetheless, I don’t pray for my safety.
1 Peter 2: 19 …for it is a gracious thing, when, mindful of God, one endures hardships while suffering unjustly.
Now, I’m not saying that the bathroom situation is a hardship, nor are they under the category of suffering, by any means. Being, I think, naturally pretty content where I am, I don’t give the bathroom a second thought, though in America, it would probably annoy. When I get on a mototaxi I am not worried about my safety. These are good mindsets, but they do not include the part of the verse that I have latched on to…”mindful of God.” I think he is saying that the “gracious thing” is when we keep God in mind while we suffer hardships, that it is for Him we are suffering. I think the same thing could relate to accepting things that are less than ideal, or safety while riding about town. There is no small difference between the idea that everything will be ok because God is in control, so if I wreck, He has his reasons, and the idea that whatever happens, happens, and there is no sense worrying about it.
While the outward actions will look the same, and the conclusion is the same, the thought processes to arrive at the conclusion are radically different. I think that it is only when we are “mindful of God” that He is pleased. How do I shift this mindset? I think this comes from continual time in the word, as well as realizing more and more God’s hand in everyday life, keeping me safe, and arraigning circumstances to conform me to the image of His Son. (See mom, everything will be ok :)
So, if any pastors are reading (hint, hint, father) am I on a somewhat right track, or did I apply a verse, and derive a principle where I really can’t?
3 comments:
great thoughts, Ben...
well ok
Yes, I think you are on the right track. A non-Christian American can use a Rwandan toilet without complaint and ride a mototaxi without worry. What sets a believer apart? Not so much the action, but rather the attitude. Not being anxious about things because we have a Father to care for us....doing all things without grumbling and complaining accepting good and bad from a loving God's hands.
One way to be mindful of God is to remember, "God is in control and He has a plan" and then try to talk to Him through out the day like He was with you physically.
Note: there is a difference between trust in the sovereignty of God and fatalism and also being down right foolish.
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