The first took place by the Sea of Galilee where Jesus gave Peter a glimpse of his future death. John was with them, and Peter wanted a look into his future. Jesus replied, "Mind your own business. Focus on following me."
Later the Apostle Paul wrote a letter to a group of young believers who wondered how they should live in light of Jesus' eventual return. His counsel? "Learn how to chill, mind your own business, get a job, aim at an honest reputation in your neighborhood, and avoid as much as possible being a burden to others."
To another church, where many were using personal convictions to jockey for rank in the I've-been-led category, Paul put the nails to the coffin of nosiness with the a stern reminder: "Who do you think you are you to be the adjudicator in a brother's life? He will be evaluated and honored by the one he's following, not by you."
It is noteworthy how many people were launched into service by learning how to follow in a context of minding their own business. Consider: Abraham in Ur, Joseph in prison, Moses in the wilderness, Gideon threshing grain, David tending sheep, Peter fishing, Matthew doing office work. Not all became celebrities. Barnabas stepped aside to mentor John Mark, and Joseph has only a brief scene in the record of his care for his mysterious Stepson.
This has to be behind the warning not to compare ourselves with the spiritual profiles of others. One is no less proud who covets the way God leads others than the one who uses his testimony of being led as a platform for self promotion.
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Ouch, ouch, ouch! But in a good way, of course. :) I needed this reminder today.
ReplyDeleteSome truths sting but sure are necessary to be reminded of :-) Thank you.
ReplyDeleteThis concept is especially hard for those in ministry, who constantly have to deal with other people's "business". Perhaps the solution lies in "feeding My sheep"...not "controling their lives".
ReplyDeleteGreat point, Andrew. As an added thought, methinks it may have something to do with "feeding God's sheep." Some years ago I began to move away from "me, my, mine" and shifted to "we, us, and our." While God gives the gift of the pastor to the church, I'm not convinced he gives the church to the pastor. Pastors come and go. Our job is to be sure they are following THE Shepherd.
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