Paul is on a roll here in chapter 3. There are four very different phrases that I want to pull out here. Four unique analogies and proclamations. The thread through them all is this: Jesus is your life, so live like it.
Number 1: Meanwhile, be content with obscurity, like Christ. – Christine Caine talks about this idea, and my wife and I both love it. So many people are shooting for fame, thinking that’s what will make you happy. Status and notoriety only take you so far. Be content with obscurity instead. Don’t despise the days of small things, the days of living in the shadows, in obscurity. God is with you more there. Needtobreathe, NF, and many others have talked about the downsides of fame. I think we’d be wise to heed their advice.
Number 2: And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. – Wear it everywhere. It’s versatile. It’s important. It’s essential. Like a good pair of underwear. Haha! Wear love.
Number 3: Let the Word of Christ – the Message – have the run of the house. Give it plenty of room in your lives. – I love the image here. Let it have run of the house, run of your life. Give it space and room to grow and expand as we talked about in this post a couple chapters ago.
Number 4: Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work. – Paul is speaking to workers/servants/employees. He’s telling them to do their very best and do their work as unto the Lord, regardless of who serves as the earthly master/boss. And it’s a worthwhile command. As I mentioned in a previous post, there’s a verse in Proverbs that says, “See a man who excels in his work, that man will stand before kings.”
I’ve often prayed that for myself. And the Lord has answered it. Maybe I haven’t stood before a real king, but I’ve stood before heads of companies and mentors of mine. I’ve stood before leaders and large crowds. And I’m confident, if I continue to put my very best into my work, I’ll have more and more of those opportunities. Not for fame, as I mentioned before. But having opportunities for influence and impact. That’s a lot more noble.
I hope you get some opportunities like that as well. But only if you’re doing your best work. 🙂
Omer Redden 