Daily Post: Magnetic
Did you have a “WoolyWilly” when you were young? The principle behind this simple toy is the magic of magnetic power, released on the iron shavings contained in the plastic. You take the pen, touch the plastic and some of the shavings are attracted to and held by the magnet, to be released on the face in another place. Even when the magnet is removed, the shavings stay clumped together, and if the power of the magnet returns, they move again, wherever the magnet takes them.
Marbles are perhaps the polar opposite of magnets. When I was a kid, I had a bag of marbles too. Big ones, little ones, all rather unique in color and size, none exactly the same. But the only thing that kept the marbles together was the bag I kept them in. If the bag became torn, or accidentally opened, those marbles went everywhere. There was nothing connecting them or holding them together except the bag I carried them in.
There is a great life lesson here. Christ-followers are to be magnets not marbles.
Philippians 1:27
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel.
One spirit, one mind … unity. Does this describe your church? Is this the image of your bible study group? Is this the relationship you have with your Christ-follower friends?
In chapter two of Philippians, Paul gives the motives (2:1-2), the measurement (2:3-4) and the model (5-11) for becoming magnets and leaving behind the life of a marble. He says to do it “intent on one purpose.” (verse2) What purpose? You have to jump all the way to the end of verse 11 to find this purpose, but it is crystal clear when you get there. “…to the glory of God the Father.”
Every moment of every day, every little step we take, or breath we take, or word we speak should reflect the “attitude” of Jesus, and bring glory to God. In this way we become “like” magnets when the Spirit of God inside us guides us into ministry, into caring/loving relationships within and outside our Christ-follower groups. In our groups we have encouragement, love, fellowship, affection and compassion toward each other. This empowers us then to go out into the world that hurts and searches for truth, bringing with us these experiences to share and pass on to them. Like iron shavings drawn to the power of the magnet, we can and do make a difference to some, when they are drawn to Christ through us.
If we are going to call ourselves Christ-followers, then we should be “like” Christ.
Philippians 2:1-2
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose.
Marbles are hard, cold, and disconnected in every way, bouncing here or there and following the path of least resistance. The polar opposite of what Paul says we are to be; intent on the purpose of bringing glory to God.
Today, be magnets not marbles.
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As I was saying... 