the sin competition

While I don’t think I am going to go out and shoot anybody, I don’t like Monday’s. (reference to a song by the Boomtown Rats, in case you don’t know). This a.m. the world (at least that portion I live in) is covered with a sheet of ice. It’s now raining; the word dreary might be the most accurate. Oh well, take what we get, I suppose…

In an order to order my attitude somewhat, I have a devotional book and page-a-day calendar I am reading each morning.

The book is excerpts from Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s writings. The more I read his work, the more I found him relevant. Today he cast a new light on Paul’s words, "I am the chief of sinners." I always interpreted this to be Paul’s way of boasting; kind of like being proud of one’s humility. Paul, as if one’s sin is in competition with others’, was boasting of his humility. I don’t like that, and it cast a bit of a shadow on Paul for me.
But Bonhoeffer suggests that in community we all should have such an attitude. The context of Paul’s words was about ministry in a local church. Tim, as the leader, must serve his community with humility, and believe the members of his community are somewhat "better" than he is. Bonhoeffer wrote: "If my sin appears to me to be in any way smaller or less reprehensible in comparison with the sins of others, then in am not yet recognizing my sin at all. … How could I possible serve other persons in unfeigned humility if their sins appear to me to be seriously worse than my own? If I am to have any hope for them, then I must not raise myself above them. Such service would be a sham." (life together)

No, it’s not a competition but a recognition that, at the very least, we are all the same in terms of sin, not that I, by virtue of any position, education, or experience I have, am in any way superior to those in my community. I can only serve them authentically if I think i am the worst sinner; if I view those in my community as "higher" than I am. I am to think of my self "soberly" and others as "better".

The second daily read I do is from a wonderful calendar called "the fisherman’s year" (or something like that). Today’ read instructs me to choose the reel with the proper gear ratio for the type of fishing I’m doing. A high gear ratio is good for cast and retrieve, but not for other types of fishing. Who knew?! Wow, am I glad to read that this morning. I am going to run down right now and check my gear ratios.

Oh, it also pointed out that today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. So, in his honour, let's pray for peace.
David