MAGNOLIA MINDS: Fighting Over Ice Cream

By Josh Braddy
Correspondent

If you have spent 37 seconds on social media recently, you have noticed that everyone seems to have an opinion and usually that opinion is, “I’m right and you’re wrong — let me count the ways.” It’s as if we live in a world that wants to draw you in and make you pick a side about everything.

You can’t just say, “I like ice cream.” People will ask, “Are you team Blue Bell or Breyer’s?” (Of course, the answer is Blue Bell.) It will, of course, be required for you to then further specify your allegiances — are you Team Cookie Dough Two Step, or Team Bride’s Cake? (Of course, the answer is Cookie Dough Two Step.)

The point is that everyone wants your mind’s attention and heart’s affection to focus on them and their opinion. They want you to take their side, and if you choose differently an all-out war is sure to ensue in the comments section. This is an inane illustration of how our life seems to go as we live in this digital civilization.

The Higher Call

The truth is we can get so drawn in, so wrapped up in things that don’t matter that we completely miss the things that do. This is what the Apostle Paul is warning a young pastor named Timothy about in 1 Timothy 4:7-9.

In my mind I can hear Paul saying, Timothy, don’t get caught up in the things that don’t matter. Your call is higher and has so much more importance. Remember, you’re not called just to focus on the here and now, but to the things of eternity. You are to focus on and train yourself for godliness because your godliness matters. Your godliness holds promise for this life and the life to come.

Pick your battles wisely

Brothers and sisters, this is still our call today. Our godliness matters! We cannot get caught up in the debates of irreverent and silly myths. Our posturing and drawing of lines in the sands of face-page and insta-snap aren’t leading people to put their hope and trust in Jesus Christ.

Our hope is set on the living God who wants to see all people saved. We have been graciously called to serve as His ambassadors. We are heralds of the Good News of the Gospel truth that Jesus has come to save the world from their sin and restore them to the Father.

Let’s not muddy up the water by getting drawn into conversations or quarrels that don’t matter. We don’t have the time and energy to spare. The task is great before us and the fields are ready for harvest.

I’ll leave you with a call to action from one of my favorite hymns, O Church Arise:

“O Church Arise and put your armor on
Hear the call of Christ our Captain
For now the weak can say that they are strong
In the strength that God has given
With shield of faith and belt of truth
We’ll stand against the devil’s lies
An army bold whose battle-cry is Love
Reaching out to those in darkness

Our call to war to love the captive soul
But to rage against the captor
And with the sword that makes the wounded whole
We will fight with faith and valor
When faced with trials on every side
We know the outcome is secure
And Christ will have the prize for which He died
An inheritance of nations.”

Church, it’s time for us to put away the things that don’t matter and go to work!

Braddy is lead pastor at Broadmoor Church, Madison. He may be contacted at pastor@broadmoor.org.

Opinions expressed on this website are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Mississippi Baptist Convention Board, The Baptist Record, nor the publication’s Advisory Committee.