Something Better

I was out and about today at a local store, and came across a music box/note card set. It was very pretty, but the design seemed strange to me-a butterfly with a crown. I made sure I remembered the name of the company so I could look for more options online. I found a few, and one stood out to me. It was a blue box with a white bird and pink flower illustration on it. It was filled with green tea soap, and played Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake". It looked a lot nicer than it sounds, believe me. I added it to my wish list on Amazon. It would make a great gift, I thought.

But the nagging idea that it seemed out of line with what I professed to be wouldn't leave me. Yes, the illustration pointed to something in nature-which most of my friends scarcely pay attention to; yes, it contained soap, which to most people is  practical; but it was a little fancier than what I was comfortable with, even though the design was not nearly as gaudy as some of the others I had seen, and-it played Tchaikovsky? I used to love Tchaikovsky. I will still listen to it on the radio. But it hardly seems like the kind of music I would recommend to anyone these days, being a Christian.

And that's just it. We as humans can tend to think that what we do is our business and no one else's-and in many respects, that's true! And yet in some ways, it isn't. You see, just like acts of kindness speak louder than words and show whose side we're on, so does everything else we do. And everything, whether we like it or not, is seen by someone-to either their betterment or detriment.

Paul the apostle penned 1 Corinthians 4:9, it would seem, in light of the martyrdom he might face: "For I think that GOD hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men." Isn't it true, however, that we as Christians are always such spectacles, always being watched? I think so; unbelievers are always ready to point out some flaw in our lives, as vindication for their believing Christianity is a bunch of nonsense. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of GOD" (1 Corinthians 10:31). We must, if we have taken upon ourselves the name of Christ...even when it's unpleasant, even when it requires self sacrifice.

Back to the box. It didn't sit right with me, but I found something just as good and even better instead-music boxes with inspirational sayings and uplifting thoughts, such as the "Serenity prayer" or "I thank GOD for you". That leads me to my main thought. When GOD requires us to say "No'' to something, it's always with a comma, followed by something better-even if it takes awhile to see.

Blessings,
Adelaide