“Only let your manner of life be worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or am absent, I may hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving side by side for the faith of the gospel, and not frightened (literally: stampeded) by your opponents. This is a clear sign to them of their destruction, but of your salvation, and that from God.” (Philippians 1:27,28)
STAMPEDE! An outcry guaranteed to frighten the hardiest buckaroo.
A stampede begins when one animal is spooked by a real or imagined threat and bolts. Panic spreads through the herd and all the animals take flight. The only way to stop the mad rush is to turn it in on itself so the animals run in circles.
Paul was thinking of that analogy when he wrote to the Christians at Philippi. “Don’t let anyone stampede you into mindless anxiety. Rather react to all threats by standing firm, striving side by side for the gospel with tranquility and poise. That’s a clear sign that you’re on the winning team.”
It’s easy to stampede us. A tweet, a Facebook post, an article in a magazine, a newspaper report stating that someone is challenging the Church and we react in fear. Then, we pass on the post, tweet, article or report to our friends and the stampede begins.
It’s much better to greet every piece of “bad” news with the question, “Where is God in this?” and then, if we pass on the information to others, to accompany it with a quiet word of assurance that all is well. That can bring peace where a mad rush might prevail.
Furthermore, our quiet response to each challenge is a “clear sign” to those who oppose the gospel that hell and its grand strategies will fail. We’re fighting a battle that that’s already won (Matthew 16:18).
David Roper
2.18.21
1 comment:
Hello David,
It's in the middle of the night here in The Netherlands, one of those nights that happen way too often for my liking, sleep is elusive, and the mind cannot stop thinking.... thinking about the people that are on my prayer list,( and praying for them) about the latest painting I'm almost finished with but not quite happy with yet, the hot flashes that a woman at my age should have gotten over long ago, this is what keeps me awake, and then I get up, make some hot chocolate and read your E-Musing which I so appreciate. How are you doin there in Boise Idaho? I pray for you and your other half, hoping God blesses you with that what you both need and desire. Oh for the days of youth, when good health was a constant, when energy was always in abundance, and family was near. But God is the one who is always the same, and His promises never fail, one day we shall be where our Lord is preparing that place for us, in the meantime, May He bless and keep you both in His amazing peace.
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