Many Hats

^“19Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.²⁰To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. ²¹To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. ²²To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. ²³I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” 1 Corinthians 9: 19 -23

          This morning I awoke to for a short communications update prior to heading out to work with my contactor on our new front deck and cover. One of my friends posted a beautifully written sentiment on how she will have a week alone with each of her sons over the next month and contrasted how each of those weeks was likely to pan out, so different from each other; one with a fast pace filled with projects, friends, and spontaneity, the other to be simplified and basic, honoring each other’s space while inviting the other into deep thought and consideration. In the post, I could sense her excitement at both of the coming weeks and her wonder at having two boys so very different from one another.

          The thought came to me that she was being ‘all things to all people’ and I commented on that in my reply to her. I took the above scripture out to front and had it rattling around in my mind and spirit as I worked the jackhammer on a stubborn bit of concrete on an ancient landing to our front door.

          We know that as Christians we are to be in the world but not of it. Upon reading First Corinthians 9 I see that we need to be all things to all people. For me; when writing this post I need to perceptive, when working the jackhammer with a contractor – rough and ready, when riding motorcycles with friends – Shakespeare on a bike, when with kids – as a child, when with family – a son, dad, brother, whatever to whomever.

          Something stood out for me in reading my friend’s post. For her sons she will behave differently for each so that each will feel valued, honored…loved. And yet, she will be the same thing for both – mother. It is like that for Christians as we are out and about in the world in the various venues that we find ourselves, we will be different for the different folks that we encounter but we must remain one thing for them all – a child of Christ. In that regard we must be consistent.

          In my work-a-day world I often described myself as a chameleon and often changed my modus operandi to fit the meeting and meet the needs of those present in order to move things along and accomplish our goals. I’ve carried that modus into life. I do this, we do this, not without some risk. We change how we are operating at the risk of losing sight of who we are in Christ. It is then that we lose touch with Jesus and lose the opportunity so “that by all possible means I might save some.”  And there lies the tragedy if we do not remain firmly planted in the Kingdom while wondering around on earth.

So we should be all things to all people, God’s handymen and handywomen, jacks of all trades, wearers of many hats, and remain steadfast in ourselves as Christ’s disciples.

In His grip, jerry