This morning there was some urgency to my step as I prepared to take my mom to the medical center. I woke up extra early in order to have time to pick her up and drive her. It was not my usual "leisurely" morning. I poured my coffee, flavored it up and put it down as I got busy with the things of the morning.
I went to my son's room to wake him then returned to my bedroom. As I walked into my bedroom, I began looking for my coffee cup. I thought to myself "Now where did I put it down?" I saw my black DPS cup, my black HPD cup but no black "counter cultural" cup. I was stumped thinking "I know I put that black cup in here somewhere."
Then it hit me. At the beginning of this series Counter Cultural Happiness, our pastor introduced some items we could purchase from our book store. They included a "counter cultural" coffee mug that was temperature sensitive. When the cup was empty and at normal or cool temperature, the cup remained black. When a hot material like coffee is poured into the cup, the cup turns white.
I was looking for a black cup. My cup had turned white and blended into the rest of the surroundings where I had placed it. In other words, it got lost in the atmosphere. When the cup was placed with other black mugs, the change was clear to see but when I placed it in an open area, it was more difficult to locate.
We will not always be in Christian surroundings. Our careers, family associations or social groups may take us out of that element. It is important for us to remember that even when the heat is turned up, we will demonstrate that we are not "like all the others" and regardless of where situations take us, we will not succumb to the social culture but resort to our faith and foundation. We are to be the light of the world...different!
You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5: 14-16
2 comments:
I just learned how to make a bookmark on my Apple computer which is like "favorites" on my old dell computer. So I added your blog. I read a few days of it and am enjoying it. I was just reading the lost coffee cup blog. I think I got lost at cards sometimes before you came and it's not like we are different. But we are. Thanks for for being a different kind of me.
I have learned that being different is being Counter Cultural. Sometimes that's not easy for any of us but attainable through Christ. thanks for your comment-encouraging!
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