In this episode:
What does it mean to give up our rights? And what would happen if we lived in such a way that we were conformed to the mindset of Jesus? This week, we consider how our actions could be the only indication that someone else might have of how a follower of Jesus might act and live.
(Article contains affiliate links. This means that when you click a link and make a purchase, I might receive a small commission from that purchase.) Inspired Life I had a blank slate in my podcast lineup, which usually means a spot for me to share what’s on my mind. Often that’s inspired by current events. The other night, I woke up at 4 am and couldn’t fall back asleep. I was in that weird middle area where I’m not really sleeping, but yet I’m kind of sleeping. During those early hours of the morning, I was half dreaming that I was working on a podcast episode. I was typing out the outline and wrote the title. I was getting ready to record it when I woke up. Since then, it’s been on my mind for a few days. It all started from what I’ve been reading lately, and when my data processing brain takes that input and mixes it with the input of social media and news, I end up with 4 am thinking sessions, I guess! I’ve been studying a textbook with a couple of friends and talking about what it means to live conformed to Jesus’s mindset. The book is based on the writings of the apostle Paul in the New Testament of the Bible. I’ll link to the book below. As I think about a repurposed life, I can definitely say that I’m not the same person I was ten years ago. Maybe even five years ago. And that brings me to today’s topic. I’m giving up my rights. Whoa, you say. What does that mean? There have been so many critical posts on social media directed toward people who have chosen to take one position or another that sacrifices something for the sake of other people. And the comments I see have to do with accusing those people of laying down their American rights, as if they were cowards for not standing up and defying whatever the request was. I’m intentionally steering away from any specific issue right now, because that isn’t the point of this. The point is, what does it mean to give up our rights, and is it truly unAmerican to do so? Am I called to hold my ground at all costs because it opens the door for a hostile takeover of my freedom? Or is there another script? I’ve wrestled with it, and come to a conclusion that isn’t all that popular. But I’m ok with being a weirdo. I believe that the only way to wake up Jesus’s followers and make a difference is to change our mindset. And the only way for that to happen might be to get us out of comfort zones and launched into a situation where we’re pushed into action. What is action? Loving people. Let’s talk about what it might look like to be repurposed to love people.
@import url(https://michellerayburn.com/wp-content/plugins/siteorigin-panels/css/front-flex.min.css); #pgc-w5f34c3ce646ec-0-0 { width:100%;width:calc(100% - ( 0 * 40px ) ) } #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0 , #pl-w5f34c3ce646ec .so-panel , #pl-w5f34c3ce646ec .so-panel:last-child { margin-bottom:0px } #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0.panel-no-style, #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-align-items:flex-start;align-items:flex-start } #panel-w5f34c3ce646ec-0-0-0> .panel-widget-style { padding:0px 20px 0px 20px } @media (max-width:780px){ #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0.panel-no-style, #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0.panel-has-style > .panel-row-style { -webkit-flex-direction:column;-ms-flex-direction:column;flex-direction:column } #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0 > .panel-grid-cell , #pg-w5f34c3ce646ec-0 > .panel-row-style > .panel-grid-cell { width:100%;margin-right:0 } #pl-w5f34c3ce646ec .panel-grid-cell { padding:0 } #pl-w5f34c3ce646ec .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-empty { display:none } #pl-w5f34c3ce646ec .panel-grid .panel-grid-cell-mobile-last { margin-bottom:0px } #panel-w5f34c3ce646ec-0-0-0> .panel-widget-style { padding:10px 10px 10px 10px } }