The Light at the End of the Tunnel

There are very few things I remember from my childhood with distinct clarity, one of these such times is the first time I drove through a tunnel that went underground. I can't remember where we were, I can't remember where we were going, but I do remember how it felt. At first I was so fascinated that the tunnel we were driving through was actually underground and that I couldn't see the sun or the sky. Then I remember the lights that lit up the walls. They were the kind that put off a sort of yellowish kind of glow so they were light, but clearly they weren't supposed to be the main light the cars would use to guide them. I couldn't tell you how long the drive through the tunnel actually was, but to me at the time it seemed to be at least 15 or 20 minutes. In reality, it was probably only about 4 to 5 minutes. Another thing I remember about this trip through the tunnel was the moment when we came around a corner and I could see a light ahead. I wasn't claustrophobic as a child, I wasn't overly afraid of the dark, I didn't have many irrational fears honestly, but there was something about that light that always made me feel calm as though I had been feeling anxious until that moment. For those of you who know me pretty well, you know this whole story is an analogy, so let me lay it out for you. Have you ever heard the term "Tunnel Vision?" Show of hands? Chances are most of you have. Tunnel Vision is what I want to talk about in this blog post. As always, my mind is all over the place: so bear with me, and I hope it all comes out right.

In 1 Corinthians chapters 8 and 9, Paul discusses the topic of brotherly love. No, that is not the title of the passage, but that is his topic none the same. In these verses the Corinthian people are asking Paul about their conduct when it comes to food that has been offered to idols. The Corinthians are arguing that since the idols are false and the gods they represent are nonexistent...

 "yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist." 

1 Corinthians 8:6

...there should be no trouble with eating the meat. Paul responds with something incredibly profound, something until recently I didn't completely understand. Paul says, 

"Take care that this right of yours does not somehow become a stumbling block to the weak." (8:9) 

He agrees with them that it is indeed well within their rights to eat the meat that had been offered to the false god, but he put the situation in a completely different light for the Corinthians and all of us. Paul in essence says to not let our freedoms become a stumbling block. The Corinthians had gotten consumed in their tunnel vision and had not taken into account how their brother may suffer from their actions. In chapter 8 verse 13 Paul tells the Corinthians to exercise self-limitation for the sake of your brother. The Corinthians were suffering from spiritual cancer, aka pride.  Paul then makes the entire situation personal in chapter 9. Paul has given up so much, its so convicting. It almost makes me want to go out and find some persecution to endure. My favorite passage from these chapters is chapter 9 verses 19-23. They say...

"For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews, I became as a Jew. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became like one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings."

1 Corinthians 9:19-23

Take a second and read that again. Paul gave up all his rights. He talked the talk and walked the walk. On an unrelated note, you know what stuns me even more? In Ephesians 2:19 Paul says, "So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God." I am a fellow citizen with this great man Paul. How cool is that??? 

So challenge time, as this weekend draws close (Praise Jesus!!) be a good neighbor. Be the good Samaritan to a struggling Jew. Paul gave up all his rights, he had no home, no family, no income, and he did all that he did for the Kingdom with a glad and happy heart. How far America falls short. Tunnel Vision is more than a condition, for some its a manner of living. So here's that challenge I was talking about, you see that light at the end of "your tunnel?" Chase it down, get out! Its a trap, self fulfillment will never do for you what society says it will. That tunnel may seem cool for a little while, you might even end up making shadow puppets on the wall, but you will get tired of that. Get out of the tunnel, get out of your comfort zone, and try something new. 

Christ does NOT call us to be comfortable.