Connect with us
  The Elder House
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Our Call to Go
  • Living Hope
  • Photos
  • Partner With Us
  • Contact Us

The Great Debate

8/1/2012

6 Comments

 
As I write this post our country is wrapped up in one of the most heated and passionate debates of our time.  No, it is not about healthcare.  No, no, nothing to do with our involvement in foreign war.  It is about whether to eat at Chick-fil-a or to not eat at Chick-fil-a.  Now, I have a dog in this race like most as I believe a certain way in regards to the subject matter at heart.  If for any reason you have no clue what I am talking about as it relates to this...good for you.  I implore you not to bother finding out and to let me come live with you as you apparently live in a magical place void of all nonsense.
 
I am not going to dig any deeper into the Chick-fil-a debate here, but what it has done has gotten me thinking about the word "passion" and the things that we are passionate about.  The dictionary has several definitions listed for the word which relate to things like intense feelings, drive and desire.  But they also list a definition related to suffering.  In fact the word comes from the Latin word 'passus' which literally means "suffering".  (Let's pause briefly as you regroup from being blown away by my intelligence).  No, I know many of you already knew that the word is related to the meaning of suffering and and especially to Christ.  You certainly remember the movie by the name The Passion of the Christ. 

I am willing to bet if you are a believer many of you are probably like me and willing to answer "yes" if asked if you are passionate about God.  But I am also willing to bet that many of you are also like me in that you don't want a movie made titled The Passion of (Insert Your Name).  Heck, we don't even want a short story, paragraph or sentence to be about it.  But why not?  Why can't we do a better job suffering for God on a daily basis?  This is my challenge to myself and to you.  Let's purposely find ways to be passionate for God daily.  Let's suffer for Him by simply being the one who doesn't participate in that conversation our friends or co-workers have even if we feel left out.  Let's suffer for Him by being the one who doesn't hold a grudge at the guy driving the car that cut you off because he was so busy drinking his $8 coffee and texting on his cell that he didn't realize his turn was coming up. (this one might be tough).  Let's suffer for Him by simply saying no to the TV for a bit and giving him our time each day in prayer and thanks.

So, I am going to keep track as best I can and post in the future with some examples of both my successes and failures.  I would be interested for anyone else to do the same by leaving a comment to the post.  And by anyone, I mean the select person who actually knows this blog exists, has the password to access it and thinks to check it once in a blue moon.  Yeah, that means both of you.
6 Comments
Mom
8/6/2012 10:36:49 am

Let us suffer for Him by continuing to look inside the person who is less than kind to us to see the true God living within so that our response to pettiness, selfishness and even cruelty is made with the acknowledgment that we are responding not only to the individual before us but also to the Christ within him or her.

Reply
Amy Simpson
8/6/2012 11:26:24 am

Tate! It looks like you may have 3 followers now! :) I've read every one of your posts and am inspired and amazed by your and Brooke's willingness to answer God's call and make such a bold move with your family. A few things came to mind as I read this. Our pastor delivered a sermon at church yesterday about surrendering everything to God and gave the example of Abraham. He specifically reminded us of how God asked Abraham to sacrifice the one thing he cherished most, which was his son, Isaac. It was a humbling message in just how amazingly faithful Abraham was in that he was willing to give up Isaac (his only son) as a sacrifice to God. I reflected and honestly could not imagine God asking me to do that. Likewise, I cannot imagine doing exactly what you and Brooke are doing with your family, but I want you guys to know that your obedience is also humbling and a great witness to so many. I know you guys will be incredibly blessed, and I cannot wait to see the blessings unfold. I like the example you gave of the $8 cup of coffee guy, b/c I think God asks us to surrender to Him in moments like that where we need to extend grace to people. I heard Rick Warren refer to situations like that as EGR - "extra grace required." I was also reminded recently of God's call to us to simply love one another. And not to just be nice to one another, but to truly extend God's love to others. I was convicted when the speaker asked how many of us even knew our neighbors, and how many opportunities to witness and share God's love with others that we miss by not spending time building relationships with other people. I didn't mean to get on a soap box, but please know that you have followers who read your posts and will have followers who will be lifting you and your family up in prayer as you answer God's call to share His love with others and build relationships in South Africa. Love you guys!! :)

Reply
jenny
8/6/2012 12:16:55 pm

hey i'm impressed...Latin words!! wowzers Tata.
On a serious note...i'm up for the challenge! Keep sharing.

Reply
jenny
8/6/2012 12:25:20 pm

Ummm...can i just say...I love the ABOUT US section....so eloquent with your words.

Reply
Sister-in-law
8/8/2012 05:25:22 am

Wow! What a great blog post. Love you so much and it is so neat to see how God has sculpted you. Great insight. Look forward to many more.

Reply
Joey
8/10/2012 05:40:58 pm

Love it bro....look forward to welcoming you here soon...

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    The elders

    Just the average family hoping to do above average work in showing HOPE through Christ to the people of South Africa.

    Blog Updates?

    Enter your email address:

    Delivered by FeedBurner

    Tweets by @TateElder

    Archives

    October 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    May 2012

    RSS Feed