During my 35 years of experience in the print media business I have seen many good people come and go because they lacked fulfillment, education, or vision in the job they were doing. They either did not possess self confidence in what they were doing, did not learn what their job entailed or were beaten down by management who were still climbing the ladder of success.
As many industries have their social ladders to climb so does the print business. I am not sure that any business, industry, social club, church, school, or political office doesn’t have a social following that most people want to be a part of. These are attractive parts of life that many really enjoy but few come away fulfilled to the extent of complete happiness and satisfaction.
Being a Christian and being a part of the world really doesn’t mesh very well. Walking the walk that Jesus made isn’t very well accepted by worldly standards and most Christian men and women are beaten on by the peers, coworkers, family, and friends because of their staunch stance of witnessing for Jesus Christ and His Saving Grace. Being a firm believer in Christ has its troubled times because of the way the world and its sinful attitudes.
I can remember times when my wife and I were welcomed into a town as the “New” Publisher of the newspaper. We were invited to a lot of activities and parties by the socialites until they found out we didn’t partake of alcohol, not even socially. We didn’t follow the norm of the day and we were Church goers. We didn’t talk about our Christianity; we practiced it.
The same went for our media conventions. We were labeled as non-partakers of social drinking and were left out of many activities except with those that would stand on their Christian principles as we did. It wasn’t that we weren’t appreciated or accepted by our peers, because we were. We just didn’t do the things that would have made us more popular. I believe that my experience and knowledge of my job was appreciated and I was called upon by many of my coworkers and peers to help in times of need. I was just not a social drinker and I didn’t hide my faith. It wasn’t that I criticized those that did partake; I just tried to be a good example. Social drinking is not something that I criticize others for because it is not for me to judge them. That is their decision and this is a gray area for church goers as well. Using social drinking to become intoxicated is a different opinion.
I am by far not a perfect example of anything nor should I ever be considered that way. It is my hope that people would judge me for who I am and the Christian stance that I take. I depend on the Lord every day and ask Him to guide me in my actions and thoughts. I talk to Him constantly and it is my hope that all of you do the same. My worldly home is only for a short time but through Christ my eternal home is forever with Him. It is my wish and desire that you will accept Christ as your personal Savior and experience the same eternal home I am looking forward to!
GARY ANDREWS' devotional appears each week on the Church Pages of your Clarksdale Press Register. You can contact him at GARY@gadevotionals.com
