From North to South

I am from the South. We talk slow, we walk slow, and we live slow.

That’s just the pace of life. As I reflect on Southern United States culture, I find it baffling how much a simple latitude change can affect our pace of life.

Recently, I had the opportunity to visit New York City and it’s surrounding suburbs.

Oh, what a latitude change can do.

Here, our Northern brethren and sisters live fast. Fast traffic, quick interactions, and something my southern friends would find unbelievable-

Fast grocery store lines.

As I reflect on this difference, I also cannot help but think of the practical applications to the believer.

Christians are not to be of this world, but until our glorified bodies are recieved, we surely are in this world.

To be more specific, the Apostle Paul tells us to “be not conformed to this world” (Romans 12:2). Finishing his instruction, be says to be transformed by the “renewing of your mind.”

In a world that demands conformity, it is your mind that needs security from this demand.

Different places, require different paces. But different paces, provide different opportunities for the uniform and solitary Gospel.

Paul addresses the difference between carnal seeds and spiritual seeds (1 Corinthians 9). Paul, who was constantly emersed in various cultures, proclaimed that he “suffer[ed] all things, lest we should hinder the Gospel of Christ” and those “which preach the Gospel should live of the Gospel” (1 Corinthians 9:12-14).

What does this “suffering” look like?

It looks like a labor of love. Moving on Paul states that he is a “servant unto all” (19). This means being “weak” unto the weak and temperate in all things.

Constantly renewing your mind by Scriptures charge, but keeping your body in subjection. Bearing with the ebbs and flows of life constant flux.

Whether you are a witness to New York City or small town, U.S.A., live unto the Gospel.

A servant unto all for Christ’s sake.