POP!

I guess I can rightfully be a little proud of myself. I can’t remember the last time I used a military reference in a blogpost. Not that I think I’ve overly done so in the past, but having been in the military, the relevancy of many of my experiences comes easily.
I knew that because of that propensity, I purposefully intend to keep the “war stories” to a comfortably low occurrence. So of course, with that intro, and my military bread interest in abbreviations that can be phonetically sounded out – here goes:
In the military, you learn very quickly. First, don’t volunteer for anything. Next, be ready to be the punchline in someone else’s retort. For instance, I remember one day our flight was supposed to be doing something and one of our squad leaders wasn’t performing to expectations. The T.I.(Training Instructor) stopped everything, singled out the squad leader and told him to say “POP”. Of course, the squad leader obliged, but not to the satisfaction of the T.I. who repeated his request. “Say POP, but much, much louder!” This time, the squad leader belted it out “POP”!!!
The T.I. concluded with – “Now that you’ve got your head out of your rear, listen and follow my commands.” We chuckled, the squad leader was a little embarrassed and I doubt that this story, now long forgotten by many, is ever repeated much at all.

This blog’s title is POP – which doesn’t stand for that story – it stands for Paul on Paul. Hence the picture. When you read Paul’s writings, do you ever get the sense that Paul could easily pat himself on the back a little too much? You might. You might not. You may be bothered by the question, not wanting to overstep your paygrade since we’re talking about God’s word.

Here’s The Word:

Philippians 3:4 Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: 5 Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee;6 Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.

2 Corinthians 11:25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

When you read these passages, what sense do you make of them? Are we really looking at someone with an overly grand view of himself? What caveats do we need to employ to make this much “ado” about nothing….or do we? Thing is, you may have never seen Paul in a self-aggrandizing way, and even seeing this, you can probably see where I’m coming from, but you have a uniquely particular benefit – you already know the rest of the story. I would never put Paul in the same category as many of today’s Pastors who I do believe put too much into promoting themselves. I pray that we do with them, the same thing we do with Paul. Look at the fruit of their lives. Not the fruit of how many people “like” & “follow” them in the contemporary sense, but how the message of Christ is emphasized and how many are motivated by their encouragement to live and share Christ – not just profit find their “blessings”.

Just like the initial “war story” alluded to. It may be embarrassing to be called out in an uncomfortable situation. However, if you really care about accomplishing what lies before you, the payment doesn’t compare to the payoff. The purpose was never to single you out for nothing at all. It was always to accomplish something bigger than you. Furthermore, in hindsight, we tend to value those T.I.s for all that they brought out of us, being such pivotal influences in the people we eventually became. I’ve heard more testimonies of the latter than sad recounts of the former….we look back now and laugh.

When Paul talks about himself, he’s not singling himself out to promote himself. He talks about Himself to promote the faithfulness of Christ. He talks about the fact that anything he’s able to accomplish doesn’t come at all from even the things that so many would make much of, he counts those things as worthless. He reflects on those things to expose their worthlessness, and in doing so make full, singular promotion of the power and blessings of Our God.

Its easy to shy away and desire to stay unnamed in the background. Seems that the world has adopted the military’s view – Never volunteer for anything. But its not true. God may single you out and put you ahead. We pray for it, but I’m not sure we’re ready to embrace it when it comes. We're also quick to scrutinize others when it comes for them. I’m okay with scrutinizing – its how we validate what’s true and genuine as opposed to counterfeits. So continue to look closely at the full scope of people and when its your turn, step up out and POP into what God has for you, making sure that your source is as evident as your efforts. Exemplify Christ.
Our life in the Spirit comes from God and we live for Him. In that truth, we should all be able to repeat after Paul, not making much of Himself, but all about Christ.

1 Corithians 11:1 Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.


In Him,
Cros