THE EXPECTATION AND THE END
October 20, 2025“REJOICING” – THE INVERSE CHRISTIAN LOGIC
October 22, 2025Recently, I came across a small, but beautiful write-up, which summed up very well, the kind of outlook one should have in life.
“NEVER BE ASHAMED OF FOUR THINGS”
1. OLD CLOTHES: they don’t define your talent.
2. POOR FRIENDS: there is no room for status in any relationship.
3. AGED PARENTS: you are what you are today because of them.
4. SIMPLE LIVING: success can’t be judged by appearances.
The above words beautifully sums up, the attitude of a truly successful individual. None of the above is something that one should be ashamed of. However the fact remains, many people do feel ashamed. Only a weak and insecure person would be ashamed of them, is my opinion.
Most of the times than not, we try to cover our insecurities with pretentions and masks, hoping they will cover them. One believes that Old Clothes, Poor Friends, Aged Parents and Simple Living are cheap things, and thus a liability; therefore, we dislike them.
The root of it is not whether they are a liability or not. The root is deep within ourselves. We believe that a certain way of life and living is the right way, therefore, anything that does not match with such a view, causes us to feel insecure. Hence, we begin to avoid them, because we are ashamed of them.
What are our insecurities? Many people have many insecurities. Most of us make every effort to hide our insecurities from others, and many times from ourselves too. We hide them because we are ashamed. We are scared to admit and accept them. Our fears makes us scared to face them honestly and square, to try and find, a proper remedy. Such an individual is truly a sad person.
The Bible offers us an insight into a proper remedy.
– When we are grateful, thankful and content with what we have, we will be sure and secure in our lives.
– When we acknowledge what we have, is something which we actually do not deserve it, but are blessed because of God, who is the Provider of all what we need.
– When we walk with such an outlook, our hearts and minds would walk in a more secure path.
This is why David, the shepherd boy, who rose to become the greatest of kings in Israel, declares these words. I am sure, they will bless us, and help us.
– “1 Bless the LORD, O my soul: and all that is within me, bless his holy name. 2 Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: 3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; 4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies; 5 Who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” – Psalm 103:1-5
When we begin to acknowledge that CLOTHES, old or new, FRIENDS, rich or poor, PARENTS, literate and of high social standing, or illiterate and not much of a social standing, and our own LIFE, simple or soaring high, and many more such things are a gift of God, which we do not deserve any bit of it, then we will begin to better appreciate all what we have in our hands. When we think so, then, where is the scope for us to be ashamed of anything, that we have, except that which is wrong and sinful?
How about us this morning? Are we ashamed of things in our lives? What are we ashamed of? Are we grateful and thankful to God for His goodness, grace and mercy? Do we realise that, we would be utterly lost and worth nothing, but for God? May the LORD help us to be grateful to Him, and be always appreciative of all what we have in our lives. Even so, the LORD help us.
