Monkey Business

Dear Faith Family,

Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into His presence with singing," (Psalm 100:1-2). 

Have you met Mizaru, Kikazaru, Iwazura, and Shizaru?  You’re familiar with them.  You just may not know that you know them.  Their names may escape you.  They’re Japanese monkeys.  Oh, that clears it up, right?  Ok.  You may know them as see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, speak-no-evil, and do-no-evil. 

Sounds a bit like how some would describe living the Christian life.  The goal can become to not see, not hear, not speak, and not do evil.  Unfortunately, when Christian living is reduced to what we don’t do, evil becomes the center of attention. 

Maybe if we lock ourselves in a closet, turn out the lights, and stop thinking, we’ll be good!  Should we avoid evil?  Yes!  Should we put off the sins of the flesh.  Yes!  So, I guess my question is: is that all there is?  Is the Christian life only a daily effort to avoid evil?  Don’t see it, don’t hear it, don’t speak it, and don’t do it. 

There does seem to be more to the Christian life.  In fact, the psalmist offers us more.  In Christ we get to do good, not just avoid evil. 

What if Iwazura stopped covering his mouth and cupped it instead to project a joyful noise to the Lord?!  What if Shizaru were to unfold his hands and use them, instead, to serve the Lord by helping other people?!  What if Kikazaru uncovered his ears and used his hands to enhance his ability to listen to the truth (God is God.  God is good.)?!  And, what if Mazaru stopped covering his eyes?  What if he used his hands to help his eyes focus on what God is up to in His world?! 

For His glory (eyes, ears, mouth, and hands!),

Pastor Karl