What a glorious October day, Father! We are in the last week of the month, and it is a bright and sunny 70° day°! It’s not the norm for central Ohio, but we’ll accept the unexpected blessing with smiles on our faces!
Romans 3:5-8 (<<click here to read the passage)
Anyone who knows me knows that I am a bi-vocational pastor. Even a half-dozen years ago, it was still in my head that I would like to be a full-time pastor, working a single job, instead of being a part-time pastor along with a full-time job outside the church. At this point, I really feel that I am filling a much-needed niche. I unashamedly serve on both fronts. For sixteen years I worked in retail and for the last four, I’ve driven a school bus.
Full-time pastors are very important and accomplish a lot in churches around the world, being able to focus their all on what God wants them to achieve. Most do a phenomenal job.
I can’t focus all on my churches, but I can focus more intently on those with whom I work. One thing, my walk is going to speak much louder than my talk. They’ve seen me throughout the course of everyday life, all the in and outs, highs and lows. They’ve seen when that one customer (or manager!) has jumped up and down on the one nerve I have left and witnessed how I responded.
Then on the flip side, I see them as well as they see me. In living technicolor, our lives are played out – all the pain, all the joy, the losses, and the celebrations. It’s all out there for all to see. It’s real. There is no pretense. In those kinds of environments, there’s no hiding. There are no masks…at least none that can stay in place in every circumstance.
A phrase I’ve used repeatedly throughout the years is that my finger is on the pulse of humanity. I can feel their beating hearts. And truth be told, they can readily feel mine, as well.
Reading today’s passage from Romans 3, anyone who has experienced any life under these circumstances realizes that these words glaringly stand out…

“…our sinfulness serves a good purpose, for it helps people see how righteous God is. Isn’t it unfair, then, for him to punish us?” v5

“…how can God condemn me as a sinner if my dishonesty highlights his truthfulness and brings him more glory?” v7

“The more we sin, the better it is!” v8

Honestly, if people see us living no different than the rest of the world, will they think more highly of God? Do those types of actions on our part help people see how righteous God is? Will our dishonesty highlight His truthfulness, bringing Him more glory?
Paul’s retort? “Of course not!” v6a NLT
The reality of our relationship with Jesus will show through it all. We probably won’t be able to live a perfect life before others, but when we do stumble and we take responsibility for and admit our need for forgiveness, from whoever has witnessed our fall, and from God Himself – when we do all within our power to make things right, that is when they will see what kind of God we serve. May it be so.

Oct 24th, 2022, Mon, 1:11 pm