Titus 2:7
Always set a good example for others. Be sincere and serious when you teach.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
My husband and I have become quite familiar with a show on NickJr. called “The Wonder Pets.” Timothy loves it! The program features three animals in a pre-school … Linny the guinea pig, Tuck the turtle, and “Ming-Ming, too!” – a fuzzy yellow duckling. In each episode, the three animals are happily playing in their tanks or cages, until the “phone” (a recycled food can filled with pencils) begins to ring, signaling that “there’s an animal in trouble somewhere.” They hear the animal’s story and figure out how they can assist. Ming-Ming always says, “This is serious!” (Although her “serious” sounds like “sewious!”)
The Wonder Pets have figured out that there is a time to have fun … and a time to be serious. When it comes to the nuts and bolts of performing a rescue, they get very serious and work together to get the job done. Then they can have some fun with the animal and its family. And in much the same way, there are times for Christians to have fun … and times for us to be serious.
Yes, we want people to know that Christian living is fun. Retreats, float trips, get-aways and socials are wonderful. Having fun at Sunday School, laughing in worship, and celebrating special events are all part of God’s plan. But the saving of souls for all eternity is serious business, and there are times when we need to settle in and settle down … and really get into what God’s word tells us.
The happy, joy-filled Christian also needs to spend time with those who are sad and in need of a sympathetic ear … those who are sick … the poor and downtrodden. We have to show others that we can be sincere and serious and help them in times of need … that we can pray with them and for them, and that we can offer encouragement and support. We have to have time when we come together to study and worship in a spirit of humility and holiness … quiet reflection and a solemn attitude. We are not saying that Christian living is sad or somber … we are showing respect and honor for the teachings and ministries of Jesus … and meeting the needs of others His name.
Just like The Wonder Pets, there is a time for Christians to be playful and have fun … and there is a time to get serious. The Wonder Pets theme song says, “We’re not too big, and we’re not too tough, but when we work together, we’ve got the right stuff!” That should be the motto for us as Christians. We should “play” together and share the joy of our faith, but we should also roll up our sleeves and work together to accomplish the serious work for the Kingdom of Heaven.
What is our behavior saying to others these days? Do we, as Christians, have “the right stuff” – and are we showing this to others? Are we setting a good example for Christ … and are we keeping a good balance between “fun” and the serious work of His Kingdom? There’s “a person in trouble somewhere” – the “phone” is ringing … how will we answer?
©2010 Debbie Robus
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