03 March 2008 Devotion for Today “Flip Flops” Romans 14:5-8
I own a pair of Birkenstock sandals I bought when I lived in Germany. They have a cork and leather sole that makes everything else I wear feel like a concrete block by comparison. In the coastal Carolina climate in which I live, they are nearly perfect for wearing around the house, swimming, sailing, and, when I get the chance to do it, lounging around the house. I might even venture to wear them to the country store in our community or when I go to the trash dump. By the looks of those sandals, some might think that is where I got them. I like wearing flip flops, but I would not want to wear them all the time. For example, it would be dangerous to wear them while cutting my grass or doing certain kinds of yard work. I might not have any toes to keep those flip flops on.
This type of shoe, also known as “flip flops” are gaining such popularity that it is now appropriate to wear them at more formal occasions such as at work, at school, or at church. Two years ago, a group of young college women- members of the Northwestern University Lacrosse Team- posed in a formal photograph at the White House with President George Bush. Some of the young women photographed in the picture were seen wearing flip flops. Their fashion statement is comparable to when we started wearing blue jeans as contemporary semi-formal clothing in the 1970s.
I have found, however, that flip flop is not just a noun to describe certain types of footwear. It has also become a slang-verb in modern culture to describe changing one’s mind or attitude about certain issues. To flip- flop has been used to describe a politician or other public official who is inconsistent with his or her views about issues, ethics, or public policy. Many have been accused of “flip-flopping” over the years, but one thing that this idea does not consider is the fact that people do and should change in their thinking as they learn and grow and become more informed about something.
There may be some things that we ought to be solid as they pertain to matters of essentials- salvation, the sanctity of human life, inspiration of Scripture, etc are non-negotiables for me. But I also know that there have been things through the years where I think differently about things now than I did in years past. That’s not flip-flopping, that is growing. While I would not feel comfortable wearing flip flops to preach in behind the pulpit, I also know that I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing a suit and tie to a family cook out.
It was about issues like these that the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 14: “One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. (Romans 14:5-8)
In Paul’s day- the idea was not what should one wear, but what one should eat. He also deals with people’s attitudes about the Sabbath and what particular day to worship the Lord. The Apostle was not so concerned with what one does or does not do, but that one is fully convinced in his own mind about what they do. He is also concerned that we be not seen as feeling superior to others, or having a judgmental spirit toward others which may be worse than a behavior itself.
We ought to be more concerned with how are we growing in the Lord, not what are other people doing or not doing. How have our attitudes changed toward certain people and what they do? When it comes to dealing with others, do we wear a pair of steel-toed work boots or do we wear flip flops?
Have a blessed day!
Note: Devotion for Today is also available for download or voice-stream podcast at http://devotionfortoday.blogspot.com
No comments:
Post a Comment