If you’ve spent any time with me, you have probably heard me use the phrase “When in Rome.” And if you’ve spent said time with me, you probably realize that I often say it in situations that don’t necessarily require a “when in Rome”-type comment. Nevertheless, I say it.
Over the last few months, I’ve realized just how true this saying has been in my life. On the World Race, we are often in crazy situations (eating gross food, sketchy bus rides, awkward conversations, roadside bathroom breaks, etc.), but we can’t escape them. It’s those kinds of times when “When in Rome” is necessary. Sure, it’s a little ridiculous, but when it makes doing something you wouldn’t normally do easier, then by all means, say it all you want.
That's my toe and the worm that came out of it!
While it is good to go big when trying new things on this crazy adventure, I’ve come to embrace that same phrase with my spiritual walk. For instance, it sounds nuts to pray for someone who’s blind and expect them to see again. However, A)God is good and can make that happen, and B)When in Rome. Why not pray those prayers? Why not embrace the culture I’m in (both the World Race and the local cultures). Why not dance in church because the rest of the congregation is doing it? Who cares what people think? It’s bringing God joy.
The best part of this whole situation is that nearly every time I say “When in Rome” to letting God do something crazy in my life, I end up saying “touché, God”* because He blows me away with how awesome He is.
Here’s to saying “When in Rome” for the rest of the race. When else will I get to live with 25 awesome boys, play Jesus in a thatched-roof hut, pray over these people, or play Ultimate Frisbee in the pouring rain?
And now in a complete change of subject, God has been reigniting my passion for His Word. Every Monday and Friday night, we have a bible study with 13 World Racers and our contacts, John and Heather. John and Heather are Torah observers, meaning that they are fully Christian, but they still practice the Law. They have Sabbath every Saturday, celebrate Passover, and have Shabat Shalom every Friday evening. When I first heard this, I was a little skeptical because I know there are some strange laws in Leviticus. However, John has studied the Bible extensively and has been able to unearth some cool truths for us this month. It has given me a desire to really dig in the Old Testament and hear God’s words for how we can live fruitful lives.
John also has a mini-devotion every morning with the boys, and this month he has been going through Matthew. As great as the NIV translation is, having a man who has studied Greek and Hebrew has been beyond incredible to enrich our biblical knowledge and encourage us to seek out the truths of the Bible for ourselves. So much of what we hear in church comes from Christian traditions and not the Bible. It’s time that I stop taking for face value what every other Christian says is “truth” and discern for myself what is of God and what is of man. Here’s a little example, and by little example, I mean a huge problem. What are America’s two biggest holidays? Answer: Christmas and Easter. Did you know that those are actually pagan holidays based on the Sun god and the fertility goddess, and that we are usually way off in the correct days to celebrate the birth and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Oh, and I should mention that the sun god traces it roots back to Baal and the fertility goddess comes from Asherah. Do those sound familiar? That’s because those are the two gods that Israel had the largest, most consistent problems with.
Yep, it’s about time I figure out what exactly the Bible says and not what King James decided it says.
When in Rome.
* “Touché, God” is the probably the phrase I use most often when God blows my mind. I will share the reasoning for that someday, but that’s for another blog.
