Topsy-turvy ways

My friend Trace here calls the way Jesus interacts with the world as topsy-turvy. If you read the stories of Jesus, he is always coming at a situation in a very different way than we would, or let me not assume for you, but than I would. He sees situations with an obviously divine perspective, but if you consider the fact that he is trying to model how we should interact with the world, it is quite shocking. Some examples – you should strive to be the servant of everyone, the humble (meek) are blessed and will inherit the earth, when slapped give the person the other cheek to slap again. There are tons more, but the bottom line is that his view on living this life on earth is about thinking of others first. Its about living for all instead of living for me. Its about striving to bring honor to God by honoring what he has created. What is the world we live in every day about? Its about success, about survival of the fittest, about climbing the ladder of wealth and prosperity. It’s the same here in Uganda: there are status-mongers at every turn, the more money you get the more you want, use the people around you to create the world you desire…

And I’m feeling the most weak and broken as ever, like there is nothing I have to offer. Perhaps God might be most honored even now? Even now when I often feel so alone and helpless? And still there is a natural inclination for me to dwell within myself, that because of this state I’m in to have an excuse not to know the people around me, to not see them, to not serve them. Yet God says he chooses those who are foolish and weak to do his work – funny, isn’t it? But I find there is no other choice for me, because the full life I experience with God, even in hard times, is so much greater than life without God. I definitely wouldn’t have survived so long over here without daily clinging to the grace of God. Here are a few verses that have always encouraged me that trusting God is always better than trusting myself – He’s just a bit bigger and in control than I am:

For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.

(ps – I’m in Kampala for the week, taking a rest and using the time to ponder what’s been going on with me. Please don’t read these posts to mean I’m about to lose it…I’m struggling, but I’ll make it through. Your prayers are very appreciated as always.)