Men Standing as Men

God did not create all of us the same - He will express Himself through each human being who is submitted to Christ. And, in a passage in Titus 2, we find that God recognizes two qualities - age and sex, and the writer, Paul, provides specific instructions:
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded...

He goes on from there to exhort the young men to do good works. As Denny Burk writes: "In scripture, Christlikeness and masculinity/femininity are not in opposition to one another. They are complements. To pit them against one another is highly misleading."  Overall, such elements as age or sex should not divide us but bring us together, recognizing that under the banner of the cross, we are one body of Christ, comprised of individuals who possess the nature of God and His giftedness.

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God empowers us to behave in the manner that He intends, so that we please Him and bring Him glory. 1st Corinthians 16 states:
13 Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.
14 Let all that you do be done with love.
15 I urge you, brethren--you know the household of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints--
16 that you also submit to such, and to everyone who works and labors with us.
17 I am glad about the coming of Stephanas, Fortunatus, and Achaicus, for what was lacking on your part they supplied.
18 For they refreshed my spirit and yours. Therefore acknowledge such men.

Verse 13 of that passage - where the New King James uses the phrase, "be brave," other translations use the phrase, "act like men."

I came across a refreshingly positive article about Christian manhood recently in an unlikely place: the New York Times website.  The religion writer Ruth Graham highlighted an evangelistic movement called, F3, which stands for "fitness, fellowship, and faith." 

The article describes F3 as "a fast-growing network of men’s workouts that combine exercise with spiritually inflected camaraderie. After its founding in 2011 as a free, outdoor group workout, its popularity exploded during the pandemic, expanding to some 3,400 groups across the country from 1,900..."

The leader of the network says that it is trying to address "a problem that society at large and men definitely didn’t even know they had: middle-age male loneliness.”

Graham profiled one of the groups in the Houston area. One man who is involved says that it provides an outlet through which one can "...really care for others and be cared for, to acknowledge others and be acknowledged." Another said that it "embraces healthy male masculinity."

In this group, the workout is followed by a 30-minute session led by a local pastor. 

F3 is a men's movement that is thriving because it enables men to enter into accountable relationships with one another, and you might say, gives them a chance to be part of something greater.

Ken Harrison of Promise Keepers attributed the early success of that movement to a similar desire in yesterday's Meeting House interview; he said, "I think men want to be a part of something that matters." In a piece for Risen Magazine, he related: "I think that is the biggest cancer that’s eroding the souls of men is a lack of accountability. I would just say to you that when a man understands who he is, and what his role is, and what victory is and that he’s accountable to make that happen, he stops making excuses and whining. Not looking around for someone to blame, like his father...that will massively change that guy, he doesn’t need to look beyond that."

The Bible is clear - men and women are not the same, and that includes the giftedness that God bestows.  It is important that each of us functions in our Biblical roles; without stereotyping, we can certainly see that men and women have different roles and responsibilities in life and in the Church.

There are standards for Biblical masculinity that are laid out in Scripture. In a culture that is quick to define men in negative ways, Christian men can take the initiative to walk in the calling that God has given to them.  But, men have to walk humbly before God and exhibit Christ-like love, depending on Him to demonstrate God's presence through them. 

Men. Can't. Get. Pregnant.

In Isaiah 64, there is a description of a rebellious people for whom there is still hope, because a loving God did not totally turn His back on them the way they had turned aside from His ways. We can read these words in that chapter:
6 But we are all like an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; we all fade as a leaf, and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.
7 And there is no one who calls on Your name, Who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, And have consumed us because of our iniquities.
8 But now, O Lord, You are our Father; We are the clay, and You our potter; And all we are the work of Your hand.
9 Do not be furious, O Lord, Nor remember iniquity forever; Indeed, please look--we all are Your people!

Each human being has been created in God's image and reflects the glory of God - we display His handiwork, and as Psalm 139 reminds us, we are "fearfully and wonderfully made." But, when people become dissatisfied to the extent that they are deceived into thinking that somehow they can change who God has made them to be in order to make their so-called "gender identity" line up with their physical appearance, they become prone to rejecting His intentions for them and setting out on a destructive path. 

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We demonstrate a disrespectful, irreverent view of our Creator when we seek to change that which should not be changed. One of the great deceptions of our day is that a person somehow was born in the "wrong body." Isaiah 45 speaks clearly to that topic area:

9 "Woe to him who strives with his Maker! Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Shall the clay say to him who forms it, 'What are you making?' Or shall your handiwork say, 'He has no hands'?
10 Woe to him who says to his father, 'What are you begetting?' Or to the woman, 'What have you brought forth?' "
11 Thus says the Lord, The Holy One of Israel, and his Maker: "Ask Me of things to come concerning My sons; And concerning the work of My hands, you command Me.
12 I have made the earth, And created man on it. I--My hands--stretched out the heavens, And all their host I have commanded.

There is a lot of misinformation that passes for science these days.  And, one of those areas in which you would think there would be general agreement has to do with the science of gender and the biological differences between men and women.

Well, a so-called "doctor" who works for Planned Parenthood, the largest provider of abortion in our nation, went before a Congressional committee recently and brought some unsound, yet seemingly increasingly popular ideas.

A CBNNews.com article reported that: "Dr. Bhavik Kumar testified before a House Oversight and Reform Committee hearing to discuss his opposition to restrictions on abortion...When asked by Rep. Andrew Clyde...if men could get pregnant, Kumar said yes."

Here is a piece of the exchange, as the article reported it:

"So men can have pregnancies, especially trans men," the medical director for primary and trans care at Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said.

"So are you saying that a biological female who identifies as a man and therefore becomes pregnant is, quote, a man? Is that what you're saying," Rep. Clyde asked, reframing the question.

"Somebody with a uterus may have the capability of becoming pregnant, whether they're a woman or a man," Kumar said. "That doesn't make a difference."

"OK, we're done," Clyde replied. "This isn't complicated."

Clyde added, "I can't believe it's necessary to say this, but men cannot get pregnant and cannot give birth, regardless of how they identify themselves..."

A former Planned Parenthood director who is a bold pro-life advocate, Abby Johnson, shared these words with CBN:

"Do women really want Planned Parenthood, who seemingly doesn't understand basic biology, taking care of their healthcare needs? They have no idea what medicine is. Men cannot get pregnant. Any kid in grade school learning about biology can tell you that," she said.

"Planned Parenthood only knows abortion, despite claiming it is such a small part of their business. Their only medical services such as well women exams, pap smears, and STI testing have drastically decreased - more than 70% - over the past decade," the CEO and founder of And Then There Were None added.

In addition to the messed-up ideas on biology, the ideology of Planned Parenthood also came under scrutiny during the hearing, as the Representative asked the question:

"How do you rationalize working for Planned Parenthood, an organization founded by Margaret Sanger, someone who associated with white supremacist groups and eugenics? Margaret Sanger's entire focus was to decimate communities of color through abortion to eliminate their future generations..."

We are witnessing the attempt to normalize what is certainly not normal and anathema to the established order that was set into motion by God Himself, our Creator.  Yet, there are those who continue to perpetrate this agenda, and it's certainly telling how the LGBTQ+ agenda and the pro-abortion agenda have melded together regarding so-called "trans" pregnancies.

But, despite efforts by some to try to change their sex, biology continues to win the day.  And, there is certainly pushback that has become apparent.  Recently, I reported to you about the gender surgery clinic at Vanderbilt University that performs surgeries and treatments on minors - children.  It was announced a few days ago, and The Daily Wire reported this:

The Vanderbilt Pediatric Gender Clinic has agreed to pause all gender transition surgeries on minors, according to a letter from the clinic to a Tennessee lawmaker obtained by The Daily Wire.

Vanderbilt also told the lawmakers that it would protect conscientious objectors who work at the facility and don’t want to take part in the controversial treatments.

“We are pausing gender affirmation surgeries on patients under 18 while we complete this review, which may take several months,” the letter says. The clinic says they have done about five such “gender-affirming surgical procedures per year” since clinic opened in 2018.

And, just this weekend, as The Post Millennial reports:

Members of parents and anti-child grooming groups on Saturday gathered outside the American Association [sic] of Pediatrics Convention in Anaheim, California for the "First Do No Harm Unity Rally," protesting against the "medicalization of gender-nonconforming kids."

High-profile "de-transitioner" Chloe Cole, who was mentioned in my recent interview with Brandon Showalter of The Christian Post, was there; the Post Millennial article states:

During the rally, Cole read aloud a letter from a group of formerly transgender youth, addressed to Attorney General Merrick Garland, urging him to "do the right thing" and ignore the letter sent to the Department of Justice by groups who support the unscientific "gender affirmation" form of care for children.

"The American Medical Association, American Academy of Pediatrics, and Children’s Hospital Association fully endorse the 'gender affirmation' model of care, which prevents medical professionals from questioning a child's self-reported transgender identity, and from exploring possible underlying factors causing their dysphoria," Cole said.

It is amazing and disgusting how there are some who have downgraded the Biblical view of anatomy from "fearfully and wonderfully made" to "interchangeable parts."  Just because a person is dissatisfied with himself or herself doesn't mean that lasting, optional changes should be made. Human ingenuity and modern medicine should not be used for permanent, harmful changes - as the Hippocratic oath says and those who gathered this weekend in Anaheim adopted, "do no harm" is a valuable watchword.

The deception is clear, and in our quest for comfort and inner satisfaction, people are turning to methods that are outside the bonds of acceptable practices. And, they are being supported by people in the medical, political, and communication realms.  When we turn our back on our Maker and His intent, it opens the door to try to change according to our finite, human understanding.  Earthly wisdom - wisdom that runs contrary to Scripture - can lead to outcomes that do not reflect the glory of God.

The Healer

We serve a God who has unlimited capability, and desires to express His love toward us and His presence through us. Psalm 103 addresses how we reflect the glory of God through dependence on Him:
2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
3 Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases,
4 Who redeems your life from destruction, Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies,
5 Who satisfies your mouth with good things, So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

There are benefits from serving the Lord - we know that He has saved us, so we have a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  We also know that if we walk in His ways, there is potential for mental soundness, for emotional wholeness, and even the capacity for physical wellness. He wants to bring order into our lives, and it comes through our willingness to surrender to Him and allow His goodness to be expressed in and through us.

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When the goodness of God is released into a person's life, that can affect every area of his or her being. There certainly can be a trajectory toward mental and emotional wholeness, as well as even physical benefits. 1st Thessalonians chapter 5 states:
22 Abstain from every form of evil.
23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
24 He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.

Tom Edwards is a physician who has spent time on the mission field, along with his family. They had served in Africa in the Ivory Coast and returned to the United States. Dr. Edwards says, "When God called us back to the United States after finishing our mission work, my heart’s desire was to do the same thing in the U.S. that we had done in Africa. I wanted to be a medical missionary in the States."

That's according to an article at The Christian Heart website, which traces the history of the Hope Health Center, which is located in Birmingham, in Fairfield, on the western side of the city. It was founded in 2003, and has added another doctor, a counselor, and an optometrist along the way. He writes, "We are now a full-service medical clinic surrounded by a tremendous staff and group of loving volunteers. It is truly the body of Christ reaching out to this impoverished area."

Several years ago, WBRC Television featured the work of Hope Health Center. It noted that of the patients who come to the clinic, "85% of them are receiving government aid or are uninsured and many are elderly or disabled."  The story goes on to say:

Dr. Edwards says it is his faith that led him to Fairfield. He explains, “It’s not a simple life. It’s hard at times but there’s a deep contentment and peace and even a joy in that. It’s something the world doesn’t give and it truly is, as we are made in Gods image, that it truly is better, more blessed to give than to receive.”

Sometimes the waiting room is filled with broken lives looking for hope. They find it in The Hope Health Center which relies on donations to cover half the costs. Dr. Edwards relies on his faith even when his patients' stories break his heart. “Sometimes I cry. I could cry right now. It does it breaks your heart but I’m open to that. I want them to break my heart because I want to feel and care about them that way and that’s God working through me.” He says, "It’s frustrating. It’s hard but in the end, we see the Lord is working. We see him working on our patients but we see him even more working on us.

Last week, I addressed the concern that our Heavenly Father has for the entirety of the individual: as 1st Thessalonians 5 relates, "spirit, soul, and body," and I contend that there is a relationship between the spiritual component of our lives and other areas, including the body and the mind. Edwards says: "Hope Health Center was started so that, like Jesus’ examples in the Gospels, we could address both the physical and spiritual needs of those who come to us. Our mission is to share the hope found in Jesus Christ while providing excellent whole-person healthcare to a very medically underserved community."

He adds:

When I read the Bible, I love the personal encounters people had with Jesus and how He would heal them. Often, they would be brought to Him and laid at His feet. He would bend down, touch them, and talk with them eye to eye. He made them feel seen, heard, and valued. And that’s what we try to do in our clinic. We’re not a big medical practice where patients are shuffled in and out according to a set amount of time. We want to take time to listen and to counsel. As a result, patients often pour out their heart to us. We pray with every single patient every time they come in. Jesus is the healer, not us.

Tom Edwards has a call from God, and he relates that during his medical residency, he came to a point of discouragement and surrendered his life totally to the Lord, and He directed the doctor to be a medical missionary.  We can ask the question: what is God calling me to do?  

We can also consider what makes us tick, from what do we receive satisfaction?  That can be through our occupation, but not necessarily, as a recent Meeting House guest pointed out.  We can be devoted to pursuing the place where God wants us to be.

If we surrender the entirety of who we are to Christ, we will see Him move in incredible ways - but He works through empty vessels: empty of ourselves so we can be filled with Him.

Again, we can draw a straight line between spiritual and physical wellness.  That doesn't mean that spiritual maturity guarantees perfect physical health, but it is worth wondering how our physical health might be positively or negatively affected by the condition of our spirit.  That also goes for mental and emotional well-being.

Faith and Physical Health

Throughout the pages of the Bible, we can see that God is our healer, and that He has the capability to bring healing to us not only spiritually, but physically and mentally as well. When we are sick James 5 instructs us to pray. Proverbs chapter 4 traces the relationship between the absorption of God's Word and its holistic effect:
20 My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart;
22 For they are life to those who find them, And health to all their flesh.

1st Thessalonians 5 addresses the entirety of our "spirit, soul, and body." I think you can make the case that God's Word brings life to us - abundant life, and that a physical deficiency can sometimes be directly tied to a lack of devotion to God's Word. We can also recognize that if we are not engaging in healthy practices and taking good care of ourselves, then we run the risk of physical consequences. We can also face harm in mental and emotional areas if we do not prioritize our walk with God.

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In 1st Corinthians chapters 3 and 6, we are reminded that God dwells in our hearts, contained in a physical body, and we are encouraged to be careful how we treat our bodies. 1st Corinthians 3 states:
16 Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?

17 If anyone defiles the temple of God, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.

1st Corinthians 6 reminds us:
19 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own?
20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.

It's a sobering, but not irreversible trend that has been pointed out by a recent Pew Research article. The article noted that "The Center estimates that in 2020, about 64% of Americans, including children, were Christian. People who are religiously unaffiliated, sometimes called religious 'nones,' accounted for 30% of the U.S. population."  

The article pointed out the trend of "religious switching," and contended...

...If switching among young Americans continued at recent rates, Christians would decline as a share of the population by a few percentage points per decade, dipping below 50% by 2060. In 2070, 46% of Americans would identify as Christian, making Christianity a plurality – the most common religious identity – but no longer a majority. In this scenario, the share of “nones” would not climb above 41% by 2070.

That is a concern, but not a certainty, and illustrates that the Church definitely has some work to do. 

A research team has characterized the decline of religious practice as a health crisis. A ChristianHeadlines.com article says:

In 2016, Dr. Brian Grim, the president of the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation, and his daughter, Dr. Melissa Grim, a senior research fellow and project director at the foundation, published a study detailing that religion provides about $1.2 trillion per year to the socio-economic value of the American economy.

As reported by The Christian Post, they published a follow-up study in 2019 in the Journal of Religion and Health. The follow-up study found that the work of nearly 130,000 congregation-based substance abuse recovery support programs in the United States was valued at an estimated $316.6 billion.

“We find that these faith-based volunteer support groups contribute up to $316.6 billion in savings to the U.S. economy every year at no cost to taxpayers,” the researchers wrote in a post published on the Religious Freedom & Business Foundation website on Saturday.

The team admitted that "negative experiences with religion" have occurred, which could possibly have resulted in substance abuse, nevertheless, "...given that more than 84 percent of scientific studies show that faith is a positive factor in addiction prevention or recovery and a risk in less than 2 percent of the studies reviewed, we conclude that the value of faith-oriented approaches to substance abuse prevention and recovery is indisputable." They also cite that "religious youth are three times less likely to binge drink alcohol and are four times less likely to consume illegal drugs. Additionally, teens with substance use disorder (SUD) say that remaining connected to God was the top reason they remained sober post-rehab."

And, the Grims contend that, "...by extension, we also conclude that the decline in religious affiliation in the USA is not only a concern for religious organizations but constitutes a national health concern..."

I do believe that our faith practice, or lack of it, can impact our health - negative or positively. God is interested in the operation of our physical bodies, and He has given us wisdom to know how to maintain them.  He has also instructed us to pray when we are facing health maladies.  There are pursuits that will damage our health, so we should be careful to explore spiritually healthy pursuits.

The Bible tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit.  So, in essence, we are acting in faith when we make health choices.  Diet and exercise are two common areas that are promoted in order to address our physical health.  We can be certain to be careful what you we put into our bodies, knowing that we have been given stewardship over them.

Hands in the Hurricane

We are equipped to testify to the glory of God - that includes through our words and through our actions, and crisis situations provide the means through which we can declare the presence of Almighty God. Romans 10 states:
13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things!"

God has loved us so much that He sent Jesus to earth, to live as an example to us and to give His life for our sins.  Jesus has commissioned us to be His ambassadors, His representatives - we have been sent in order to proclaim His truth and to practice His love - He has empowered us by His Spirit and provides the open doors through which we can bring hope and restoration.  We see that in a myriad of ways in crisis situations, so that people can experience His presence through His people.

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In crisis situations, where there are so many in need, Jesus is represented by His body, functioning to bring hope and healing to people in crisis. Romans 12 speaks to the equipping of God's people:
4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function,
5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another.
6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith;
7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching;
8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

The flood waters have been rising, and so has the death toll, in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian. But, the level of relief for storm victims is rising, as well. Christian organizations have been passionately and effectively demonstrating our Savior's love, bringing hope in seemingly hopeless instances. 

The Convoy of Hope website describes some practical scenes from the devastation:

...Trees leaning at a 45 degree angle, cars wrapped around telephone poles, the smell of sea water and molding wood, a general stillness from the grief of what was lost …

Convoy has been responding this week in Fort Myers, Florida — an area that suffered a 12-foot storm surge from Category 4 Hurricane Ian.

The article continued:

The area, which is about 3 feet above sea level, was hit by the eye of the storm and seems to have suffered the most damage in Florida. Homes there are either flattened or blown through. Cars and motorhomes have washed up into yards. One man said his neighbor’s boat washed into the yard across the street.

There are remnants of daily life caked in mud on the ground: deodorant, a book on accounting, old VHS tapes, Christmas decorations, old clothes, and keepsakes. A pile of around 25 pairs of shoes sit at the end of a driveway, ranging from adult swim shoes to children’s sandals — evidence of a family’s memories spanning years.

The Billy Graham Rapid Response Team has sent chaplains in to bring hope. The Billy Graham website notes:

Mobile Ministry Centers—40-ft. custom trucks that the BG-RRT deploys to disaster and emergency scenes across America, which have their purpose printed on them: “Sharing Hope in Crisis”—will provide a safe space for chaplains to comfort and help people.

Josh Holland, International Director of the Team, stated: “We know that Hurricane Ian is one of the strongest storms in Florida’s history,” adding, “As we learn of its magnitude, our hearts are heavy and we are earnestly praying for the people in the path of this hurricane."

Its sister organization, Samaritan's Purse, reported that, "Teams started work on Saturday, Oct. 1, and have already begun to mud-out flooded homes, cut downed trees, remove debris, and tarp roofs." John Boutchia is the pastor of Calvary Baptist Church in Englewood, which is one of the host churches for Samaritan's Purse response; he related: "I've lived here for over 30 years and I've seen many hurricanes during that time. But this by far is the worst we've seen in this part of Florida. Many of our church members had to shelter at the church, many had their homes damaged or destroyed...After an event like this it's hard to know what to do next. Samaritan's Purse has been a blessing. It's been so good for our community."

Troy Miller, President and CEO of National Religious Broadcasters, told Fox Digital, in a story that was published last Friday...

"A number of our members are broadcasting and operating their ministries in the area affected by Hurricane Ian, and we are keeping them, and all those in the path of this storm, in prayer as the storm develops," he said.

"We also have member organizations who are currently on the ground being the hands and feet of Jesus — bringing support and meeting the needs of the community throughout this emergency."

This is key - I talked about spiritual readiness earlier this week, and whether it be churches in the affected regions of Florida and the Carolinas, or Christian organizations who are working in the impacted areas, we are seeing the body of Christ at work, as people are willing to give of themselves, just as Jesus gave of Himself.

And, people are operating in different capacities - whether it be the ministry of presence of the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team or the physical labor of Convoy of Hope or Operation Blessing. There are those who serve meals, provide housing, and do a variety of other functions. Through the leadership of the Holy Spirit, God is working powerfully through His people, who play a significant role in bringing restoration.

Quiet Quitting?

I believe that because we love Christ, we should do all things with excellence. Our desire to please God and serve others can motivate us in that regard. In 2nd Corinthians 8, Paul is writing about the generosity of the church in Macedonia. Notice the abundance, the extravagance, the passion he describes here:
3 For I bear witness that according to their ability, yes, and beyond their ability, they were freely willing,
4 imploring us with much urgency that we would receive the gift and the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.
5 And not only as we had hoped, but they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
6 So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete this grace in you as well.
7 But as you abound in everything--in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us--see that you abound in this grace also.

The Macedonian church was held up as an example - a group of people who were willing to go "beyond their ability," which suggests a dramatic reliance on God. They possessed a sense of "much urgency" regarding their giving.  Paul exhorted the church at Corinth to "abound in everything." Because we have received God's grace, we can respond with an exuberant love and devotion to Christ, recognizing, as Scripture teaches, we are to live our lives for His glory.

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Here are some verses from Colossians 3 that can inspire us with regard to doing our very best for the Lord, the God of excellence:

16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.

Later in the chapter, we find these words:
23 And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men,
24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.

A recent New York Post article lamented yet another harmful concept being perpetrated by the social media site TikTok; it quoted from one particular user:

“You’re not outright quitting your job, but you’re quitting the idea of going above and beyond,” explained one TikToker whose viral video helped kick off the fad. “You’re still performing your duties, but you’re no longer subscribing to the hustle-culture mentality.”

The columnist, Brad Polumbo noted, "Basically, you’re not actually quitting, you just start doing the bare minimum."  The piece goes on to say: 

...“quiet quitting” is a terrible idea that’s only going to leave these young people much, much worse off. We’re in a recession, by the conventional definition, and while jobs numbers remain strong, it sure looks like that could change. Soon. And when it does, guess who’ll be the first name management picks for layoffs?

That’s right: the “quiet quitters” who racked up TikTok views by not only slacking at work and doing the bare minimum but bragging about it extremely publicly.

Even those who didn’t post about their “quiet quitting” exploits may still be in trouble. When times get tough, it’s the underachievers and “bare minimum” folks who are the first out the door. That’s the sad fate many are setting themselves up for if the economy continues to head south.

They’re also sabotaging their long-term economic and career prospects.

The Hill put it this way, in an article that seemed way too sympathetic toward the practice, in the name of having an improved "work-life balance;" it said that the trend is carried out by...

...mostly millennial workers or Generation Z who are quiet quitting, which some argue is an extension of the pandemic’s Great Resignation.

Almost 25 percent of workers between the ages of 35 to 44 said they would likely be quiet quitters in a recent survey from Resume Builder.

James Emery White, a pastor in Charlotte, NC, wrote this at Crosswalk.com, says the practice is, "...about coasting in the job you currently have."  He also notes:

...as Kevin O’Leary, co-star on ABC’s “Shark Tank” and chairman of O’Shares ETFs, said in a CNBC video essay, quiet quitting is a horrible approach to building a career: “You have to go beyond because you want to. That’s how you achieve success.”

There is something to be said for making sure that we are not consumed by our work.  Chuck Bentley of Crown Financial Ministries wrote this in a recent Christian Post piece:

While I sympathize with your desire to “get your life back,” be sure you maintain a Christian attitude towards your employer and a grateful heart for the work you have. Larry Burkett, the late founder of Crown, said:

“Work plays a very important role in our lives as believers. It provides the opportunity to put into practice spiritual principles that otherwise would be mere academics.

The way we do our work day by day provides the best exterior reflection of our commitment to serve the Lord in a real, physical way.

It doesn’t matter whether that work is in the home, on an assembly line, or in a corporate office. Our true Christian beliefs will be reflected more clearly there than in any other environment outside of the immediate family relationships.”

The Bible teaches that in whatever pursuit we have, including our work, we are directed to do our best.  And, we can keep in mind that "best" does not mean "perfect." Because the quest for perfection can be all-consuming to the point that it overrides mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. 

Pastor White, in his Crosswalk piece, addresses the potentially devastating impact that "quiet quitting" could have on the Church: 

The entire debate (and there has been nothing quiet about the differing viewpoints) got me thinking about how it’s not just individuals who can quietly quit, but also churches. And here, there can be no debate on the merits of doing so. For a church to quietly quit – to coast, to do the bare minimum, to refuse to engage the mission with every fiber of its being – would be unthinkable.

He adds:

...Jesus has no stomach for churches that are not being intense.

Literally.

White refers to the hard words in Revelation chapter 3 about the church at Laodicea.  He notes:

The indictment from Jesus is: “You are neither hot nor cold. You’re not on fire but you’re not dead. You’re not a passionate world-changing believer nor a devout atheist. You’re just kind of in the middle—safe, warm, comfortable.”

And, as Pastor White suggests, we should always be passionate about the mission of the Church.  We are called to maintain a bold witness to the world, not a quiet, uninspired existence. Through Christ, we can strive for maximum effectiveness rather than just getting by, or "checking the boxes." In all things, we can have a sense of God's direction for us. 

Twice a Hero

God can instill in us a sense of being ready to take a step of obedience to Him. We prepare by maintaining a practice of prayer and devotion to the Word. 1st Peter 3 says:
15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
16 having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed.

There are several character traits that we find in these two verses: one is spiritual readiness. We can know the equipping and direction of the Spirit and seek to make sure that the Word of God is foremost in our understanding. We can also have a good conscience, in other words, by God's grace, we can know the right thing to do at any given time.  We can also know that not all will approve of our action for Christ, but we rejoice that we please the Lord.

+++++

Paul encouraged Timothy to spiritual readiness, as we find in 2nd Timothy chapter 4:
1 I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom:
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Mykel Gordon is a Chick-fil-A team member in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.  In 2018, he was in the restaurant parking lot and observed an accident in which a crane smashed a car in which 17-year-old Hillary Henley and her friend, Madison Newton were.  The Standing for Freedom Center website reported on the story.

Mykel saw what happened and ran to help.  The article says that he was quoted by the Northwest Florida News as saying, “I didn’t have any time to react,” adding, “It was nothing but instinct and I ran to the car. I didn’t pull anybody out because that’s the wrong thing to do in that kind of situation. I just picked up (Madison) and took her to the side. I told her to calm down and she was all ballistic. She was telling me that (Hillary) was still alive.”

Hillary was trapped inside and was unsuccessfully trying to get out of the car through a small hole in the passenger side door. Gordon assured her that he would help, went inside to get towels and ice, then was joined by a volunteer firefighter, who said: “She wasn’t saying anything. We couldn’t see her, but we knew she was in there. We decided to pull on the door again and it just popped open...She started to wiggle."  Hillary and Madison both walked from the scene and went to the hospital.  The firefighter said it was miraculous.

The article relates:

Hillary’s father, Shannon, also called Gordon’s actions a miracle. “God resonates there,” he remarked. “It’s a miracle in many ways how this happened. But just to have people like this that step forward and make something happen, I know not everybody is gonna do something like that. I’m just real thankful and I wanted to come thank them.”

Mykel Gordon recognized the hand of God, as well, saying, "I think the Lord put me outside,” adding, “As soon as this happened I had prayers in my head. I was helping her. I was on autopilot. My stepdad is a military man and I grew up doing what he was doing. When this happened I knew exactly what to do because of him. I thank God.”

Fast-forward to 2022 - Mykel is still at the Chick-fil-A at Fort Walton Beach. The Standing for Freedom article says that, "...a woman was getting her baby out of her car...when she was confronted by a man wielding a sharpened plank who demanded her car keys." The man, named William Branch, took the keys and "attempted to steal her car." The article says:

Thankfully, she had someone looking out for her. When Chick-fil-A worker, Mykel Gordon, heard the woman screaming, he rushed to help, tackling Branch to the ground and holding him down while help arrived. During the struggle, Gordon took a punch to the face but refused to let go. He was not injured.

And, the turn of events were captured on video.  Furthermore, the article says: "The sheriff’s office also reported that Branch had attempted another carjacking minutes earlier, reaching his hand into another occupied vehicle and attempting to unlock the door. It turns out that Gordon had also chased Branch away from that first car."

Gordon's heroism was recognized the next day by the local sheriff's department. 

The author of the Standing for Freedom Center article, Nathan Skates, wrote:

Whatever our jobs, Christians should face every day ready and willing to serve others. Not once but twice, Mykel Gordon has faced the call to help others, risking injury or worse to himself, and both times he has answered that call without hesitation. Gordon shows high character and selflessness, and whether wearing a badge from the sheriff’s office or a nametag from Chick-fil-A, that is the mark of a true hero.

Through Christ, we can always be ready and willing to do what He calls us to do.  Paul writes to Timothy about being ready "in and out of season," to preach the Word.  In essence, we all proclaim the Word of God by acting in accordance with His principles. 

We can rely on the Spirit so we can remain tuned in to the circumstances around us; not called to be aloof, but alert.  He will produce in our hearts and minds a sense of spiritual sensitivity, and will not only alert us, but equip us to fulfill what He wants us to do.  We can recognize that God guides us to certain locations or circumstances so He can use us. We can learn to know His promptings and to respond the way He intends.