Opposite Day

 

Little kids love playing Opposite Day where you do the opposite of what’s expected.  You say “Goodbye” instead of “Hello”, you eat dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner, etc.  Somebody else who celebrates Opposite Day every day is God.  In almost every case, God’s wisdom and instruction is to do the opposite of what the culture or our natural inclinations would be.  Let’s look at a few examples and see which ones ring especially true for you.

 

Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways My ways,”
declares the Lord.
 “As the heavens are higher than the earth,
    so are My ways higher than your ways
    and My thoughts than your thoughts.

 

Things to think about:

·       Love your enemy

o   Revenge and fighting back are natural instincts

§  Jesus says in Matthew 5:43-44, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’  But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you…”

·       Forgiveness

o   Holding on to a hurt is another reaction that comes easily to us. 

§  God says in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

·       Selflessness and Generosity

o   Look out for Number 1!

§  God says in 1 Timothy 6:17-19, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

·       Humility

o   We live in an age of self-promotion

§  God says in Philippians 2:3, “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”

·       Have Faith

o   It’s hopeless!  We’re going to hell in a handbasket! Fear, anxiety, depression are the hallmarks of our society

§  God says in Isaiah 41:10 – “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”

·       Be Quick to Listen, Slow to get Angry

o   You’re not a true follower of a given ideology if you’re not angry and shouting over whoever disagrees with you

§  Gods says in James 1:19 – “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger”

·       Contentment

o   You don’t have enough, if you had a little more, then you’d be happy

§  God says in Luke 12:15, “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

·       Righteous Living

o   If it feels good, do it!

§  God says in Galatians 6:7-10, “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.”

Whatever comes your way today, take a moment to pause and consider your thoughts and actions.  If you’re like me, there’s a good chance that what first pops in your mind is the OPPOSITE of what you need to do!