The Godpill or the Gospill
Last Sunday I was unable to preach at my usual Sunday services at the Fort. My allergy devolved into a cough and a full blown infection. I was in pain. I also stayed home to recover and to do an initial pack for my early Monday morning flight to Tokyo and then to Dallas. In the afternoon I headed with Marie for Tagaytay to attend a wedding.
Unfortunately, I don't have a picture of the groom Jon Blaylock and his lovely bride Carmen. What I have instead is a picture of our old small group. Jon's father George was one of the members of our small group.
From the wedding I rushed home to continue my packing. And just so I don't have a relapse I packed a selection of medicines and food supplements that I am familiar with.
As I packed, I thought of the brief message I gave Jon and Carmen the newlyweds. I reminded them that as they embarked in their journey as a couple they should remember that the goal is not to have a successful life with loads of possessions nor is it to just have a harmonious life together.
But that at each turn in their journey together whether they have one car, two cars or no car, whether they are in pain or brimming with health, on the peak of careers' success or not quite making it, the goal is to be Christlike.
It made me think of how often we (even as Christians) all want the Godpill. The pill that will assure us of success, fame, fortune, power, money, good health and peace. The pill that promises the so-called fabled life. The pill that will give us god-like prerogatives. The pill that does exist but has atrocious side effects.
Rather Jesus offers us the Gospill. The pill that makes us more and more like Him. It is only as we are transformed on the inside to desire to be more like Jesus that we can overcome any situation we face, good or bad, up or down, in pain or in health, in success or failure, in abundance or in lack.
This week keep taking the Gospill and become more and more like Christ. The one that promises that "he who loses his life will find it." Keep in mind the gaol is not just success as the world defines it but to me more and more like Jesus. Have a great week!
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