I remember as a girl when my mom would take my sister and I
to a local creek to watch the salmon in their annual run upstream.
It was amazing to see these relatively small fish swim, jump
and fight their way against the tide,
over rocks and other obstacles, with a dogged determination. Only until reaching
the same place where they were hatched from, would they cease their driven journey.
I believe salmon are unique in this way and it is God’s amazing
design. Maybe because of salmon we have the phrase to “swim upstream.”
This life of “going against the flow” should also be that of
a Christian’s. The Bible tells us to not be conformed (Rom. 12:2), to throw off
the old, sinful ways (Eph. 4:22), to strip off the old nature and put on the new
one (Col. 3:9-10), to imitate God and no longer follow the world (Eph. 5:1),
and so many other commands about turning away from the old, making a complete
180, and beginning to walk as a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17).
However, do you know what that really means? We will be
going against the flow of society, of culture, of media, of the world, and very
likely against our neighbors, our friends, and possibly our family.
This past weekend, young men and women from Catholic, Muslim
and other religious backgrounds, confessed Jesus Christ as their Lord and
Savior, cutting and leaving behind those strong religious ties. It is highly
likely they will not be embraced as they once were by their families and
communities. They may be rejected, disowned, or thrown out. Their father or
mother may refuse to pay for their education or to give them food. They have
begun the swim upstream.
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| Baptizing one of our female students, a former Muslim, on Sunday. |
Jesus especially did and said things that went against the
norm, against the accepted, even by the respected religious leaders. He used
mud to heal a blind man? Crazy! He healed on the Sabbath? Insane! He associated
with prostitutes, thieves, and drunkards? Had he lost his mind?!
No. God’s ways are not at all like the world’s ways, in
fact, they are completely contrary and entirely opposite.
My fellow Christians, this is the life we are called to. Not
to blend in, not to adapt, not to conform, not to adhere. It means there will
be a struggle – a daily one, a life-long one. It is a battle. It requires
perseverance, focus, dedication.
But, the crown is promised only to those who remain faithful
(Rev. 2:10). Heaven’s fruits and manna are promised only to the victorious
(Rev. 2:7, 17). Inclusion in the Book of Life is only for those who persevere
in faith (Rev. 3:5).
Those who wish to share in Jesus’ victory must also join His
battle.
So, my friend, which direction are you swimming? With or
against the world’s tide?
“But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ
Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved
it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to
what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the
heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.” –
Philippians 3:12b-14
