Day 199 – An Upside-Down World

An Upside-Down World

King Solomon wrote that he had seen servants riding on horses and princes walking as servants on the earth. (Ecc. 10.7) We could say it this way: “he has seen the carnal and sinful nature of man ride in triumph, while the nature of Christ in us walks in the dust.” In an upside-down world where appearance and impression takes priority over character and virtue, the truly great are often invisible and the shallow and boisterous are in the spot light. A few years ago, I had the opportunity to minister to a group of about 150 pastors and cell leaders in the Manchurian Province of China. There were no formal presentations made, nor special seats for the main leaders. One man was responsible for over 60,000 disciples, scattered in house churches around the province, yet during week we were there, I was never introduced to him. He did not want to ride on the horse, but was content to walk in the dust.

I had just the opposite experience while ministering in the Ivory Coast. As we entered into a village, we were greeted with horns honking and people lining the roads, waving their welcome to us. We were brought before the tribal chiefs and the local government representatives. We met with them all together to avoid suspicions that we were there to benefit one above the other. Each had their place to sit, according to rank as we did ours. The traditional cup of water was given to officially welcome us and presentations were made. There had been a power struggle among the chiefs and this became obvious when it was their turn to speak. An aid to one of the chiefs, stood up first to address the assembly and then to introduce his chief, but was quickly rebuked by the others for stepping out of his place. The mayor quickly stepped to calm the potential strife and apologized to us for this display of dishonor.

So many are motivated by self-actualization and affirmation. An image of greatness and ability are marketed for all to see. Man desires the throne, yet Jesus, the King of kings, was born in a manger. He entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey. “He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief.” (Is. 53.3) Jesus did not strive after equality, but chose to serve. He was unjustly crucified as a common criminal. And so it is with the followers of the Almighty. Mordecai sits at the gate while Haman is before the king. Saul is on the throne, while David is hiding in the desert. Elijah is held up in a cave, while Jezebel is boasting in the palace. The cupbearer takes his place by the king, while Joseph remains in the prison. These, of whom the world is not worthy, take their place in obscurity, while those of shameful repute are promoted in the glamour of tinsel town.

It doesn’t make sense, this upside-down world, where virginity is ridiculed and homosexuality is admired, where opinion is exalted over truth and where lust is seen as love. Everything is the opposite of what it should be, yet God, in His infinite wisdom, uses this nonsense to make sense and to put us right again. He takes the weak and makes them strong, He lifts up the humble, He enriches the generous and He fills those who are empty. His way up is down. So don’t believe your own publicity. As Jesus, took the place of a servant, lay your life down so that others might live. In giving you will receive. In honoring others, you will be honored. “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Phil. 2.3) This is the mind of Christ. This is the mentality of greatness.

Scriptures to meditate on:

Ecc. 10.7; Is. 53.3-6; Heb. 11.36-40; Phil. 2.1-11;