May the mumbling commence!
It is time for a sobriety test. I love a good joke. And the idea of a sobriety test reminds me of a joke I know. Here it is:
“There once was a circus juggler that was late for a performance. He traveled with his machetes piled up in the passenger seat. The juggler was speeding, and a cop pulled him over. When the police officer asked the juggler why we was going so fast, the juggler told him that he was late for his circus performance.
The officer asked what the man did in the circus, and the man replied that he juggled. The officer noticed the machetes in the passenger seat, so the officer asked him to juggle the knives for him. The juggler got out of the car and was juggling the knives.
Another motorist passed them by. Seeing the man juggling machetes, the driver vowed to himself never to drink and drive again. Just look at the sobriety test now!”
As Christians, we have a sobriety test. Read from First Peter chapter four:
The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen. (Verses 7-11)
The end is coming. We just do not know when. We need to be prepared. We need to be clear-minded and self-controlled. As some translations put it, we need to be alert and of sober mind. How do we show ourselves to be clear-minded and self-controlled – alert and sober?
Peter offers some suggestions. The most important thing is love. Love covers over our many sins. But how does love play itself out?
Peter, again, gives some suggestions. Be hospitable, and do so without grumbling. When we open our lives and homes to others, let’s not grumble about housekeeping or cooking chores that go along with hospitality. Let us not grumble about guests and their oddities.
God has given each of us gifts with the baptism of the Spirit. Use them for serving others. God’s grace is often ministered in this way. If you speak, know that you are speaking the very words of God. What a thought! It causes some trembling in my inner preacher. If you serve, do so with the strength that God provides.
But whatever you do, do it so that God may be praised through Jesus Christ. Any glory offered in our use of the gifts that the Holy Spirit gives us are payable only to God. We shall keep none of the glory for ourselves. We are only humble and willing servants of God.
Are you sober? Am I sober? How do you and I measure up to this sobriety test? Do we love fully? Do we show that love with cheerful hospitality? Do we share our God-given gifts to build other people up and to glorify God? Let us seek to do these things more and more.
Enough mumbling for now…
Peace Out
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