"There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who
understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have
together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.
Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. The poison
of vipers is on their lips. Their mouths are full of cursing and
bitterness. Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery mark
their ways, and the way of peace they do not know. There is no fear of
God before their eyes." (Rom 3:10-18 NIV)
Nestled along the
shores of Lake Thun with vineyard-draped hills as a backdrop, you will
find the lovely little town of Spiez. This beautiful Swiss village is
especially renowned for a quaint castle overlooking the lake.
As
we wanted to visit the castle, we pulled into the parking lot. Once
there however, we couldn't park. A car, illegally parked, blocked the
entrance, and the car's owners, a man and his wife, were arguing loudly
about the parking spot. From behind our windshield, we could hear every
word of their argument. How we wished we were someplace else!
I
couldn't help but ask: "Why would they fight in public?"
Then it
hit me then that I was no better. As a newly-wed, I argued with my
beloved wife, and it wasn't over a parking place either! It was over who
would answer the phone! There were other times, too, times when I
insisted on my own way, and it is with shame that I remember how my head
would fume with indignation as my mouth spewed forth angry words!
It's true that we sometimes think of ourselves as better than other
people. Especially when we compare ourselves to Nero and Hitler. But in
reality, when it comes to treating others with gallantry, we have all
stooped way too low. The problem, you see, is that too often we put
ourselves first! As if we are more important than other people!
Jesus turned the tables: "Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain
conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves." (Phil
2:3 NIV)
If we would only follow these wonderful words of wisdom,
it would put a stop to the haunting embarrassing moments, and it would
lead us to a meaningful life where love from above can germinate and
create colourful, attractive flowers in our lives.
Remember, we
are ALWAYS surrounded by involuntary spies. May we show them what true
living truly is, for when we are left to our own devices, we are far
from desirable!
Are you looking for a parking place? Let me help
you!
Rob Chaffart
The Unexpected Spies of Spiez. Radical Grace from the Book of Romans (3:10-18)
Today's Bible Verse:
"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility
consider others better than yourselves." (Phil 2:3)
The Unexpected Spies of Spiez. Radical Grace from the Book of Romans (3:10-18)
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