A Saint Abroad and a Devil at Home

Things are not always as they appear to be.  The same could be said of many people.  One of my all-time favorite books is ‘The Pilgrim’s Progress’ by John Bunyan. Written over 300 years ago, the book is as relevant and impacting now, as it was then.  Bunyan wrote the story as a Pastor in prison for sharing the Word of God.  It is an allegorical story of what each believer faces and endures in this life.  There are many amazing characters in the story, each baring the name of the attribute they most clearly exhibit.  One such character is named Talkative who appears to be one thing but has a reputation as being another.

In the story Christian and Faithful are journeying together toward Mount Zion after leaving City of Destruction (such is the life of every believer).  Along the way they encounter a fellow sojourner named Talkative. He speaks of the journey so well. He talks in a way that shows him to be absolutely on the same page with Christian and Faithful and tries to convince them to allow him to be in their company. The problem is… Christian knows this guy from past experience and Faithful does not. In describing Talkative’s reputation back home Christian says that the people there know Talkative as “A saint abroad, and a devil at home.” Unfortunately, this description can fit too many of us if we are not vigilant.  If the people at work, or at school or at church think more highly of us than our families at home then we are simply actors on a stage playing out a sad tragedy of which we may not even be fully aware.  The old adage applies, ‘if you’re going to talk the talk, you must walk the walk.’

I Corinthians 4 reminds us that ‘the Kingdom of God is not of talk but of power.’  It is easy to be everyone’s best friend and the life of the party when you are detached from reality.  However, it is in the day-to-day routine of life that our true quality is tested and seen for what it truly is.  I once heard Leadership guru John Maxwell say that there had been several people in his life that he respected less and less the more he got to know them. I don’t know that a sadder statement could be made about a person.  However, it doesn’t have to be a death sentence if that statement describes you.  The question is can you humble yourself and ask the Lord to help you start writing a new chapter in your story?  With the Lord’s help, you absolutely can.

Do not be too easily impressed with the compliments and accolades of people that only ever see you operating in your greatest strengths or only experience you in brief moments of time.  Work to impress and bless your coworker more than your boss. Honor and serve those who work hard to help you, not forgetting where you have come from.  Make your wife’s smile, your daughter’s hug and your son’s admiration some of your greatest prizes; not as result of appeasement but out of a genuine response to your humble love and leadership.  Small changes, managed overtime lead to major shifts. With time and the Lord’s help those closest to us will be the ones who think the most of us.  That is truly evidence of a life well lived.

But I will come to you very soon, if the Lord is willing, and then I will find out not only how these arrogant people are talking, but what power they have. 20 For the kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. – I Corinthians 4:19-20