UNIQUENESS WITH A PURPOSE
John was dressed in a rough coat of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he fed on locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6, N.E.B.
Scholars have argued for many centuries and through volumes of research whether the locusts that comprised a part of John's diet were the beans of the carob tree or whether they were indeed a small crunchy insect. In any case, his manner of dress and his peculiar dietary pattern were worthy of note by both Matthew and Mark. No doubt these interesting features also drew the attention of the populace, for they came out in vast numbers to hear what he had to say.
But when they walked away after listening to him, their memories were not full of vision of a strange man with unique dress. They were full of excited expectancy for the coming Messiah, whom John had described in appealing terms. Jesus Himself bore testimony that no greater than John had walked among men. Yet He said this, not about John's personal traits, but about that spirit in him that cried, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Virtually every Christian denomination or persuasion has at least one unique feature that marks it as distinctive from the others. That unique feature--which may relate to a doctrine, to the manner of worship, or to the individual member's lifestyle--came into being out of conscientious conviction. As such, it is not to be despised by others who may not appreciate it. However, it would be well for every Christian continually to ask, "How does this special aspect of my life help to present a more attractive picture of Jesus Christ?"
For example, some Christians have--as did John--some dietary preferences and convictions that set them apart from the masses. They choose to eat some special foods and avoid others. Too often, entire denominations become known for what they won't eat! But if those dietary convictions become in themselves the focus of attention, and others do not see in them something sensible about God, they are more than a wasted uniqueness; they are a stumbling block.
Our Father does not hand down strange menus to us, simply to test our submission or to make us peculiar for peculiarity's own sake. As a loving God, committed to our happiness, He offers us what He knows will lead to optimum health. When we express our uniqueness in this way, we let Jesus increase.
John was dressed in a rough coat of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he fed on locusts and wild honey. Mark 1:6, N.E.B.
Scholars have argued for many centuries and through volumes of research whether the locusts that comprised a part of John's diet were the beans of the carob tree or whether they were indeed a small crunchy insect. In any case, his manner of dress and his peculiar dietary pattern were worthy of note by both Matthew and Mark. No doubt these interesting features also drew the attention of the populace, for they came out in vast numbers to hear what he had to say.
But when they walked away after listening to him, their memories were not full of vision of a strange man with unique dress. They were full of excited expectancy for the coming Messiah, whom John had described in appealing terms. Jesus Himself bore testimony that no greater than John had walked among men. Yet He said this, not about John's personal traits, but about that spirit in him that cried, "He must increase, but I must decrease" (John 3:30).
Virtually every Christian denomination or persuasion has at least one unique feature that marks it as distinctive from the others. That unique feature--which may relate to a doctrine, to the manner of worship, or to the individual member's lifestyle--came into being out of conscientious conviction. As such, it is not to be despised by others who may not appreciate it. However, it would be well for every Christian continually to ask, "How does this special aspect of my life help to present a more attractive picture of Jesus Christ?"
For example, some Christians have--as did John--some dietary preferences and convictions that set them apart from the masses. They choose to eat some special foods and avoid others. Too often, entire denominations become known for what they won't eat! But if those dietary convictions become in themselves the focus of attention, and others do not see in them something sensible about God, they are more than a wasted uniqueness; they are a stumbling block.
Our Father does not hand down strange menus to us, simply to test our submission or to make us peculiar for peculiarity's own sake. As a loving God, committed to our happiness, He offers us what He knows will lead to optimum health. When we express our uniqueness in this way, we let Jesus increase.
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