A World Upside Down

Our world has turned upside down in many ways. Beloved Husband sleeps in his recliner – on doctor’s orders – to ease his shoulder. He is first up around 4:00, when his evening pain pill wears off. I’ve been sleeping until 7:00 instead of being up at 5:00. I hope we can soon average that out!!

His dress is different – right now he’s wearing a series of Hawaiian shirts that are loose fitting, not tucked in, and gray sleep pants. Not having one arm available changes a lot of things. He can’t use a knife and fork, so I’m cooking differently. Multiple adjustments had to be made.

Paul experienced this in Thessalonica, where (as his manner was, the Bible says) he went to the local synagogue and reasoned with the Jews over three Sabbath days, citing scriptures. Remember, those were what we now call the Old Testament – using what we call Exodus, Isaiah, Psalms. Paul was:

Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. (Acts 17:3 KJV)

And, as some things happen today, that’s when the trouble started. Others in the past – and more would come in the future – claimed to be the Messiah, the one promised by God and sent from God. Unfortunately, people looked then – and continue to look today – for an earthly kingdom. Why they do so when we served a spiritual God sometimes overcomes me.

Anyway, there were converts.

And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. (Acts 17:4 KJV)

Look at that! Women in a place of leadership, listening to the gospel, and responding. They didn’t wait for their men to step out first. But that didn’t go over well either. Soon there was a response to these changes.

But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. (Acts 17:5 KJV)

Is that what we fear? That what we say will bring out those baser sorts and they’ll create an uproar? That we will hear people say:

And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; (Acts 17:6 KJV)

Are we unprepared to have people point at us and say, “Look! They are acting like Christians.”

Is that why some don’t say grace in public places? Are they concerned that they will be noticed?

Is that why religion isn’t discussed within families or with close friends? Are we concerned we might offend?

When we select Christmas cards do they celebrate a non-specific Happy Holidays? Are we changing celebrating Christ’s birth into a winter carnival?

Are we able to discuss our beliefs based on scripture? Do we open the Bible to refute erroneous statements? Do we even carry a Bible regularly?

When will we turn the world upside down for Christ?