Whimsical Wednesdays

“~When you ~

-         FIND YOURSELF -

        On the side of

THE MAJORITY,

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS

Pause and Reflect.”

                                      ~ Mark Twain

Mark Twain was America’s author, and a legend in his own right. His witty wisdom, and practical, life-applicable quotes have trickled down through the decades, and in a time in which it was difficult, he discovered the balance of speaking the truth while remaining sensitive to delicate issues. He did not favor situations, nor did he bow to the altar of being politically correct. He seemed to see no grey in the world. Truth was truth and lies, were lies. Throughout his lifetime, he remained intent on delivering truth at all cost. His quote that best describes this is shown below, and it was extracted from one of his speeches.

“It doesn’t matter what the press says. It doesn’t matter what the politicians or the mobs say.  It doesn’t matter if the whole country decides that something wrong is something right.  Republics are founded on one principle above all else: The requirement that we stand up for what we believe in, no matter the odds or consequences.

When the mobs and the press and the whole world tells you to move, your job is to plant yourself like a tree beside the river of truth and tell the whole world:
“No, you move.”

I believe that people respected Mark Twain for his absolute honesty, and yet complete lack of hate or malice in his quest for truth. It is my belief that he provided an excellent example of speaking the truth in love. That being said, the quote above is an excellent example of his practical, yet witty style of truth telling. Incidentally the principle conveyed seems to promote a partiality for the underdog crowd, in whatever situation they may be in. I can honestly say, that I do not know anyone that does not enjoy a good underdog story. In our media today there are a plethora of modern, and instant-classic films to choose from: The Blind Side, Rudy, 23 Blast, We are Marshall, just to name a few. There is a book, that seems to be an underdog story from start to finish, yet it has an incredible ending. It is the Bible. The Bible is comprised almost completely of God using people that society and situations would deem to be unworthy.

Joseph was the youngest of twelve. He was favored by his father, hated by his brothers, dumped into an empty cistern, sold in to slavery by his own family, and accused and imprisoned for a crime he didn’t commit. BUT God used Joseph to save his people during a time of famine. Joseph rose to be second only to the king in Egypt, and he saved the same brothers that sold him into slavery all those years back, from starvation.

Moses, was a murderer, and suffered from a speech disability, he ran away from his position as prince of Egypt, and became a shepherd for forty years in the desert, BUT God chose to use him to free his people from Egyptian enslavement. Moses spent the first forty years of his life thinking that he was somebody, the next forty years of his life realizing he was nobody, and the last forty years of his life experiencing the INCREDIBLE things that God can do with a nobody.

Elijah doubted God's plan, even though God had proven his faithfulness time and time again. He had just come off of the mountain, where he had experienced a heaven sent miracle, and yet he questioned, “God where are you? Am I the only one serving you? Will my life be spared?” He so quickly forgot the promises of God, when his life was threatened. BUT God continued to use him to reach out to His people.

Peter proved to be faithless to Jesus, he gave in to peer pressure, lied, and seemed to have anger management problems. BUT God chose Peter to establish, and lead the Jerusalem church. Peter was one of the most active evangelical witnesses in the history of the world.

Many times I struggle to believe that God could use someone like me in this world. I am not strong, I quickly forget God’s faithfulness, then I hear that same still small voice Elijah heard in that time of doubting remind me that the Bible is the story of God using nobodys for his purpose, and ultimately his glory. I am a Nobody, but I am God’s Nobody. Will you join me and be a Nobody for Him today too?