One of the most impressive success stories of all time was that of Andrew Carnegie. You probably know he made his fortune in the steel business. What you may not know is Andrew Carnegie didn't know the first thing about steel. He did, however, surround himself with people who did. As a result, Carnegie became enormously successful and so did the others in his company.
    When I read Paul's explanation of the faith in his letter to the Romans and particularly the reminder in today's reading that God makes no distinction for salvation, I wonder why we Christians sometimes become so exclusive in our associations with others. There is so much of value, so much we could be taught, if we would open our minds in the same manner God shows his love to all who believe in their hearts and confess with their lips.
    Let's surround ourselves with he whole family of God, making no distinction of differences, but seizing the wonderful opportunities that come from the variety of God's children.

Mark 3:7-19a He went up the mountain and called to him those whom he wanted, and they came to him. (v.13)

    Jesus chose an odd assortment of individuals, many with an attitude, to be his disciples. None would likely have been our ideal.
    When W. H. Auden was a lad of nine, his ideal was the high diver. He thought there would be no equal in symmetry, balance, poise and control. As he grew to become a man, he saw his ideal in a different light. As a poet, he saw perfection in the balance of subliminal consciousness and physical desires. Relating to those days of youth, he jokingly came to the conclusion that the ideal man was a high diver who could write poetry.
    So much of our attitude toward life is dependent upon where we are in life. Our ideal is the composite of those things that we like, determined, naturally, by those things we are most familiar with. When viewed by three different people, a person can be a reformer, a progressive, or a radical. Before we judge another's attitudes, let us have the honesty to examine our own perspective and the example from Jesus who found great worth in human variety.

John 16:1-15 I have said these things to you to keep you from stumbling. (v.1)

    Charles Darwin, the greatest biologist, tells us in his autobiography of his early interests in the arts. He would read the works of Milton, Gray, Byron, Wordsworth and Shelly for hours. The works of Shakespeare, especially the historical plays, gave him much pleasure. He loved great music and delighted in great paintings. Then, sometime after the age of thirty, he abandoned the arts. He gave up his reading of Shakespeare completely. His treasured volumes of poetry began to collect dust. Darwin no longer had time for paintings and he ceased to cultivate a taste for music. Years later, he returned to the arts and found they had abandoned him. As Darwin put it, "I cannot endure to read a line of poetry. I have tried lately to read Shakespeare and found it so intolerably dull that it nauseated me. I have also lost my taste for pictures and music."
    Jesus knew how ruin could be caused by disuse. It can be fearful to try to live the Christian life. Friends who have not had a personal relationship with the Lord can encourage us to be less active in ministry, so that what we once loved so dearly will be neglected and when neglected can be lost. We need to walk daily in his ways and listen continually to his voice and turn away from the distractions of the world. That's the formula for lasting happiness in the riches of our Lord.

Mark 1:29-45 Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also: for that is what I came out to do. (v.38)

    Baron Tolstoi's biographer tells the story of Tolstoi and a friend walking along a road in Russia. Passing a farm, they noticed a horse on the other side of the fence. It was not a good-looking horse, mind you, but a rather shabby looking horse with obvious signs of undernourishment, age and overwork. Tolstoi walked over to the horse, patted its head and talked to it as if he understood. The action prompted Tolstoi's biographer to write that he wondered if Tolstoi himself might not have been, at some time, a horse.
    Jesus had that kind of understanding, even though he was exhausted from the crowds, he would say, "Let us go on to the neighboring towns."
    I know you are happy to have received the news of Christ that someone, somewhere, and sometime told you. Who will tell those who have not yet heard? Are there times when you are just too tired? Or could it be that you are simply not that concerned.
    We are loved because, at one time, God became one of us in Christ Jesus. We must reflect that love to everyone we meet, everywhere we are, all the time.

From the booklet "40 Days"

[Early Television Syndication] [What Motivates a Motivator?] [Puppet Ministry]
[Publicity in the Local Church] [Back to Home Page] [Order Resource Material]