Presenting ...
... a weekly letter of encouragement.
Singapore
July 12,1995
Good Morning!
ON LOVING THE WORLD
"Never give your hearts to this world or to any of
the things in it...The whole world-system...(is) based on men's
primitive desires, their greedy ambitions and the glamour of
all that they THINK is splendid..." (I John 2:15,
16 - Phillips Translation)
But the glamour is alluring!
We can identify with St. Augustine's cry, "Give
me chastity, but not yet."
If the truth were out, many of us would have to admit that the
WORLD'S GLAMOROUS ARE OUR CLOSET HEROES. We ogle their
lifestyles which seem so smooth...leisurely, and in control.
Almost transcendent.
Perhaps they have mastered Lauren Hutton's secret of success,
"Never, ever let them see you sweat."
Our lives, by contrast seem to muddle along amidst our
rather tired and familiar surroundings of dirty laundry, unmowed
lawns, and piles of unanswered mail.
James reminds us however, that "flirting with the glamour
of this world" is akin to being "the world's lover,"
an "unfaithful wife." It is by our love of the
world...by our spiritual adultery, that we become "an
enemy of God." (James 4:4 Phillips Translation)
Years ago I remember attending a Rotary Club meeting with
the rich, the powerful and the beautiful
of our town. These were the guys with the tailored pin stripe
suits, Italian hand crafted shoes, and manicured nails. Cool.
Polished. Together. Cultured. Or so it seemed.
However, as the meal progressed I realized how many of these men
I had privately counseled. And in those sessions, they had wept,
pouted, and agonized over disintegrating marriages, rebellious
kids, severe financial problems, and self-doubt over their professional
abilities.
It is vital for us to understand that true fulfillment is
found in the daily struggle with loving, giving, and forgiving
amidst piles of laundry, raucous kids and rushed schedules. It
is here that the authentic beauty of Christ's character is being
forged.
And the "glamorous" world can never match
that!
My prayer is that you are having a great week!
Dwight Hill
© Copyright 1996 Dwight Hill. Unlimited permission to copy or use is hereby granted subject to inclusion of this copyright notice.
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