I may be off an author or two but I think it was Juan Carlos Ortiz who wrote a book in the 70s discussing unity. He pointed out boiled potatoes in one bowl does not equal unity just because they are all together. Mashed potatoes is unity. He went on to explain: boiled ones are still individuals simply at the same location. The mashed are blended in with all others to serve one purpose as a unit.
Boiled? These members are in but not committed. They are in the church for their welfare, but not in it for the sake of the body. There is a thin line which calls for personal examination. Are we in the church for experiencing what makes me happy or to extend the body of Christ to the current and the next generations? Are we in it because our kids like it and need it or because God has burdened our hearts to live for Him? Are we in it to give us something good to do or to show mercy and love to a rude society? Are we boiled or mashed?
If boiled we find it easier to pick up our blankets and toys and find a new picnic. If mashed we find we can’t breathe without the body of Christ…He is our total life. What makes a boiled potato a mashed one? Beaters. Jesus asked us to face the beaters every day…..take up your beaters and follow me….he said, sorta. Each congregation is so much healthier mashed. There is found complete harmony. Only boiled? Oh, we may sit in the same bowl but we aren’t in it for the others. While we may sit together, we are still in this for self.
Take up your beaters. Let us submit to the beatings we take realizing we are simply in the wonderful kingdom process of God growing His people into one selfless body.
7 comments:
Terry, it was indeed Ortiz. I think the book was 'Disciple' - a small, but powerful little paperback. One other thing I remember from the reading was his praying with his eyes wide open, looking around at God's handiwork as he gave thanks. That was pretty powerful. Thanks for the 'memory jog' and for the great thoughts to begin the day. I hope you are feeling better. I'm just about over mine, although my knee threatens to end my status as a world-class athlete. I love you.
Very good analogy!
You / Ortiz hit on a trend I've seen over the years that drove me crazy as a minister ... parents deferring spiritual decisions to 2 and 3 year olds! People who decide where they are going to "go to church" or that they are going to leave this church and start attending that church because a 3-year-old likes one church over the other or dislikes one church. Good blog, as always.
I'm getting hungry...
Okay...I absolutely love this!
One thing that really stood out to me that you said are we in it because our kids like or need it???
My parents told me that very statment when I grew up and got married. That church was only for parents to raise their children in and then move on. Now....let me say...they were very hurt by a church...packed up their blanket and couldn't find a picnic site to suit them so they never went back. You know...that's just so sad!
So what do you get when you mix other church's together for an event??? Tater Salad!
Yes...it was cheezy! But you love me!
Love the post Terry. I'm gonna steal it!
Thanks as always for the great thoughts brother. Great encouragement for me and I pray for those I share this with. Remember.......YOU ARE LOVED!
Eddie
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