From the Word
POLLUTED BY THE WORLD
"...keep oneself from being polluted by the world." (James 1:27) As artists are we polluted by the world? Does the world influence us or do we influence the world? We first need to understand what it means to be polluted by the world. Some Christians would consider using "pop" sounding music or dance or a theatrical convention as a sign of worldly pollution and honestly there have been times in my life I have struggled with those issues. We are to be separate from the world, right? But as I continue to look at scripture and really seek God on what He would have for my ministry, I find more stumbling blocks in my character than in the programs I run. We have done several broadway style musicals as part of the out reach ministry in my church and even though the "style" of the show is formatted like something you would see on the worldly stage of Broadway it is obvious there is something different about the performance. Yes, the message is clearly about Christ but it goes beyond the message. It is evident in the lives of the people involved that there is a different purpose for what they are doing. It is not about them - it is not about their time in the spotlight - it is about offering something to God as an act of worship. We become polluted by the world when the focus is on the talents and abilities of the people involved and not God.
We are so quick to criticize our brothers and sisters in Christ. It almost becomes a competition as to who can do things better. Who can get a bigger crowd, who can build a bigger program. When the world looks in and sees this sad state of affairs they see no difference in us than they do themselves and all along the way we blame the tools and not the workers. It's not the "show" that has become polluted, it is the performers.
Lord,
Keep us unified and humble. Help us to truly see things through your eyes and when my personal life needs cleaning, may I be brave enough to admit it and not try to pass the buck to another brother or sister or ministry.
AMEN.
SCRIPTURE READING
James 1:26-27, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18
BOTTOM LINE
Keeping our lives clean will keep everything we do from being polluted.