[Pop] goes the weasel...
Soda.
Soda.
Music #degradation_maybe?
Another name for dad or grandpa.
A way to get email #postOfficeprotocol
The ability to prove you bought something #proofOfpurchase
Removing a value from the "stack" #popItoff
People who's lives you love always reading about #pop_u_lar
Pop has come to describe many things that we know and love. At times it's seen as some sort of extreme when compared to its alternatives, especially in music.
There's another acronym that pop can be used to describe. It's the plow of preaching...and it's the type of pop which does more than make you burp, shake your groove thang, or reminisce on your childhood.
#stickWitme
May your sheep come to know your voice.
May we seek you in a quiet place.
May I be uncovered by the plowing of preaching.
Amen.
Information, innovation and individualism...we rely so heavily on these today. Many people have come to an understanding of how the transition from one type of society or culture can produce mass benefits as well as slight disadvantages (i.e. Moving too fast). There are a variety of cultures and countries who are in the process of going through high periods of growth regarding industrialization, infrastructure and harnessing the power of the information age.
Does anyone even farm anymore? Actually get out to the fields and do the physical labor...no heavy duty machinery; we're talking by hand. Sowing the seeds, watering the crops and reaping the harvest. Of course it'd be silly to think of a farmer or field hand doing all of this work without the use of some form of mechanization in "this day and age".
Does anyone even farm anymore? Actually get out to the fields and do the physical labor...no heavy duty machinery; we're talking by hand. Sowing the seeds, watering the crops and reaping the harvest. Of course it'd be silly to think of a farmer or field hand doing all of this work without the use of some form of mechanization in "this day and age".
Many advances during the agricultural revolution led to what some might liken to population growth, increased health, and an overall better state of well-being for those alive at the time. At one point agriculture was the only way to get fed. Preaching is no different...and if you know anything about phrases that never get old, one to include would be: "If you don't work, you don't eat". Well, preaching takes work...and this isn't only talking about the Word that's given from the pulpit but also the Word itself working on individuals who need to be prepared for a change of "state", like going from Cali to New York (i.e. State of mind).
So what's this deal with preaching anyways and where does this plow come from?
First let's take a look at the denotation of the word plow (aka plough).
Plow-
So what's this deal with preaching anyways and where does this plow come from?
First let's take a look at the denotation of the word plow (aka plough).
Plow-
- an agricultural implement used for cutting, lifting, turning over, and partly pulverizing soil (noun)
- put one's hand to the plough to begin or undertake a task (verb)
- work at slowly or perseveringly (verb)
- move forcefully through something (verb)
- cause to disappear, force out of existence (verb)
- to invest as capital (verb)
Now that we've covered some background information that will be helpful to fully understand the purpose of preaching #pop which is the plow of preaching #pop2, let us dig a little deeper to try and understand what this means.
Luke 9:62
62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
In this verse Jesus is talking to a group of people who are making a decision to follow him. He basically responds and tells them, "I don't have anywhere to live" #nomad. Several people say that they will follow Jesus AFTER they do something that seems important. Verse 62 is his response to those who are not quick to follow him; however, the decision to follow him should not be taken lightly and done swiftly without fully understanding the Gospel.
As we have understood thus far, a plow is used in agriculture. The Kingdom of God is readily alluded to as a "field of crops" in other scriptures throughout the Bible. If you start on this journey and look back to what you left behind, you are seemingly "unfit" for the Kingdom. Discussing how one is unfit based off of their looking back is beyond the scope of this post (and requires more research).
Plowing
- Preaching takes time to forcefully get through what it needs to...
- Undertaking the task of being a follower of Christ is a slow and painful process #hard
- Old ways of living, thought patterns and decisions must vanish in order to make room
- Available room is used for investment
The purpose of the plow is to cultivate crops that will bear fruit. The purpose of preaching is to cultivate new life, a new way of thinking, and all together a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
- People don't like to be preached too.
- People don't like looking in a mirror and having the Truth revealed.
- People get defensive when the preaching starts to plow away at who they are and what they could be.
- Primarily b/c they know it's true (Gospel) and they aren't "ready" to face it
Aside: Before I close out I want to preface it with this. Not that it's needed because it isn't; however, I can't talk about something and willingly not be self-reflective.
In writing this post I'm forced to think of how I still have many things to work on. I'm nowhere near as righteous as I should be. I still slip and fall in areas that could've been mastered by now. Indeed it's a journey. I know a lot but I'm putting only so much to good use...this is why preaching and the way it plows away at us is important.
The plowing is used to uncover who we are able to be in Christ; in fact who God made us to be.
Imagine being covered in dirt/filth; buried alive. The only way for you to be found is if they bring in some type of tool that will plow away all that is covering you.
1. We get covered by life...
2. Preaching assists in removing the dirt and uncovering the Truth...
3.We get out of our hole; one of the many we've dug for ourselves or that was dug by others.
Life is like this for us at times...look familiar?
#theWrapup
In many of my earlier posts I talk about the adventures of my interactions with a coworker at my job this summer who was dealing with some personal issues. As long as the issues didn't get in the way of our professional relationship things were kewl #cool...but then they did get in the way...
Without reviewing the whole story again:
- Conversation started in my cubicle and 3 of us were gathered
- They didn't profess being Christian but when questioned a 2nd time claimed that they had professed it
- I began to ask them questions to understand how their "faith" would allow them to be so pessimistic and negative about life
- Preaching had already begun long before this....
- "You should be a preacher; there are people who will listen"
The issues:
- Dirt was being removed; touching to closely upon the things that had buried them alive
- Preaching or anything religious in the workplace seems to be unfitting/uncomfortable
- Many people don't want the truth to be told even when they're admitting to it
- They were getting plowed...and it probably hurt.
Preaching is a vehicle to force us to be reflective and ask the tough questions. It's the start of an entryway into a new everything; a new newness.
Would you rather get plowed by preaching or buried so deep that no one can [ever] find you?
Challenge:
- Read the Word...I'll even read it with you if you contact me
