Seasoning with Royalty

“In a nutshell, the Bible from Genesis 3 to Revelation 22 tells the story of a God reckless with desire to get his family back.”—Philip Yancey, “The Jesus I Never Knew”

 

While others crossed to the other side of the street, Jesus walked up to the tax collector’s booth and, in spite of its symbol of oppression and dishonesty, He looked into the eyes of a guy named Matt, loved him, invited him on an adventure he couldn’t have ever imagined or would live to regret, and even hung out with him and his ungodly friends for dinner.

The letters to the churches in the New Testament say a lot about having nothing to do with certain kinds of people and situations, but almost all of those are in the context of so-called fellow believers who are not living like they were rescued from the pits of hell or invited to live out the most practical, fantastic, holy romance with the God of the universe.

It is because God wants us to step into our identity as royalty, His sons and daughters, and to step away from distractions and things that would taint our faith so we can carry on the family heritage of being salt and light wherever our day takes us. Not merely in the comfy confines of our circle of church friends, but in the Master’s footsteps, out there at the tax collector’s booths of the world. The mission field, after all, isn’t just overseas. It’s also right there on Main Street.

And it can start with some pretty simple but underutilized things:

• Instead of crossing to the other side of the street, showing courtesy, patience, and a smile to the person at the checkout who may be stressed about a lot of things and just grateful to have a job to help make ends meet.

• Being unafraid to buy a high-octane coffee known by a sketchy-sounding name and quietly praying blessing on the person who poured it.

• Tipping, and doing so extravagantly.

• Saying thank you more often.

• Seeing the shocked and amazed expression when you add, “Have a great morning.”

In fact, Lord, help us to be a lot more like these guys: [CLICK ME.]

No, this is not the "four spiritual laws," but it does look a lot like the first step of how Jesus approached a guy named Matt. And much more than just being nice, cultivating the practice of putting prayer behind it all can be the supernatural spark that one day, even today, prompts someone we may never see again to hear, to receive, to accept an invitation to an adventure they couldn’t have ever imagined or would live to regret.

"Follow God’s example in everything you do just as a much loved child imitates his father. Be full of love for others, following the example of Christ who loved you and gave himself to God as a sacrifice to take away your sins. And God was pleased, for Christ’s love for you was like sweet perfume to him." — Ephesians 5:1-2, Living