Daily Devotional for December 14, 2022

Yesterday was a hard day.

As my meeting with two members of another church lasted longer and longer, they asked if I would go to lunch with them.  At that moment, I didn’t know what to say.  It dawned on me they thought I was a regular guy.  

Because I don’t wear an earring, have a mullet haircut, or a ponytail, they had no idea I was one of those pajamas for pants wearing, hippie, nonmeat eating weirdos.  The fact that I was wearing boots and jeans had led them to believe I was normal.

When I explained, I would enjoy going to eat lunch with them, but I only ate a whole-foods, plant-based diet, their looks of confusion turned into looks of pity.  It was as if I had just told them I had incurable cancer.

When we got to the restaurant, while they ordered huge sandwiches smothered in mounds of meat, to my shame, I ordered a butternut squash burger.  I was so embarrassed, I pulled out my man card, stuck it in an envelope and mailed it back to MANville.

It was a humiliating moment in my life.  This got me thinking.

While there are many things I have done I wish the world would never know, there is one thing I can never be ashamed of.  That’s my relationship with Jesus Christ.  It’s the sort of thing that brings peace in the midst of the storm, healing where there is brokenness, guidance when I am lost, and strength when I am weak.  It is the only thing that saves me from the self-destructive decisions I continually make.

In understanding that proclaiming Jesus as Lord and Savior could be a very dangerous thing, Paul said, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”  (Romans 1:16) 

While others may ridicule, mock, or discriminate against you for putting your trust and faith in a Jewish carpenter who walked the earth two-thousand years ago, it is the most important choice you will ever make.  Don’t hide it.  Let it shine.

Prayer:  Dear Gracious Heavenly Father, help me walk through life, secure in your love and grace.  Use me as an example for others.  In Jesus’ name I pray.  Amen.

While I may be ashamed because I don’t eat food anymore, instead, I eat vegetables, I will not forsake the One who went to the cross to save me.  And even though Jesus looks at me with pity because of what I eat, I know he still loves me.  That’s all I need to know.

That’s all you need to know, too!

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins