Adventure - Day 13

Rome represented earthly power run by greed, and all that those things represent; selfishness and self-preservation, lust, jealousy, etc…. But Rome also represents the world we live in, where at every turn we “look out for number one” and do our best to have and be a little more than our neighbor.

And yet, it is into this world that Jesus came, to show us a different way of living, a different kind of power.  Sure, He calmed the wind and the waves.  Sure, He raised people who were dead back to life.  Sure, an entire regiment of soldiers fell facedown at the mere mention of His name.  But the power He had wasn’t about force, it was about love; it wasn’t about keeping things to ourselves, it was about giving them away.  It wasn’t about being served, it was about serving and giving our life as a ransom.  This was the Adventure of the Kingdom of God that was in such stark contrast to the backdrop of the Roman Empire.

Our call as followers of Christ is to live counter-culturally to the things of this world.  To be in the world, but not of the world.  

When the Israelites were in captivity in Babylon, they’d often look out to the east, in the direction of Jerusalem, and they’d long for home.  They desperately wanted to get out of Babylon and be done with those people.  But in light of those feelings, God told them…

“This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel, says to all the captives he has exiled to Babylon from Jerusalem: “Build homes, and plan to stay. Plant gardens, and eat the food they produce. Marry and have children. Then find spouses for them so that you may have many grandchildren. Multiply! Do not dwindle away! And work for the peace and prosperity of the city where I sent you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, for its welfare will determine your welfare.”
Jeremiah 29:4-7 NLT

God didn’t want the Israelites to hide in Babylon, He wanted them to be a blessing in Babylon, to make a difference, or to use a more modern-day adage, “Grow where you’re planted.”
I believe the same is true for us today.  God doesn’t want us running to the hills, escaping from the cities, counting down the days until we get off this God-forsaken planet.  He wants us, He alls us, to be a blessing; in the marketplace, at our schools, in our civil communities and with their responsibilities, on the freeway, and in our homes.  He has called us, and empowered us, to be His presence in the world.  So may we answer that call and bring more of Jesus to the world.

JOURNAL

1. Describe your Rome. What places do you have the opportunity to be a positive influence for the kingdom of God?
2. How do you and I live in the world, but not succumb to living by the values of the world?
3. Who is one person you could bless today, that currently resides in your Rome?  How will you bless them?