Chatter Away
“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)
Anthony Hopkins is, of course a brilliant actor. Who will ever forget his chilling performance in “The Silence of the Lambs”?
Hopkins is also in a lesser-known film entitled “The Remains of the Day.” In this film he plays a head butler during World War II. Important people go in and out of his house, but he is only concerned about his butler duties. World leaders are coming and going, and he is only concerned that the table is set right or that the meals are prepared properly. There is a scene where another servant in the house is sort of flirting with him. Again, Hopkins only cares about his duties. He is not at all interested in her. The more she flirts, the less interested he is. Finally he says, “I’m placing my thoughts elsewhere, while you chatter away.”
Sunday is usually a high point of our week. We get together with other believers. We sing and worship. Yesterday we were encouraged to hear how the Lord is getting the Tado people a bible in their own language. David Pickens was encouraging, and his presentation was fascinating. Sunday is so often a great day.
But then there’s Monday. You are back to work or school. Satan will send someone along to discourage you. Someone will criticize you, gossip about you, or just be rude to you. And when this happens, don’t waste your time answering your attackers. Don’t waste your energy defending yourself. And try not to let yourself get aggravated. Rather, take a line from “The Remains of the Day” and say, “I’m placing my thoughts elsewhere while you chatter away!”
OK, it’s very possible that you might not want to say that line OUT LOUD, but you get my point (People may think you’re a little nuts if you say that out loud!) But my point is this: Don’t let the people around you steal your joy.
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This role & movie of Anthony Hopkins reminds me of the ministry of the porter. All that is spoken of the porter in the great “Good Shepherd Parable” in John 10:3 are only five words: (TO HIM THE PORTER OPENETH) But oh, the depths of responsibility to his job, that even the Lord, Jesus Christ waited for him to bid entrance into the sheepfold!
Even if the wolf attacks the sheepfold, by climbing up another way, his eyes are focused on the door & the door only. The sheep may shriek, the shepherd may attack the wolf with their rod, but this little known worker/shepherd of the sheep still remains steadfast to his post & duty. As mundane as it seems, his duty is to maintain the integrity of the spiritual door of the Lord’s Sheepfold. Yet the bible thread of the porter ministry begin with warring angels who kept the gates of the sides of the north; to Adam who kept the garden of Eden to his son Able, who was the first shepherd/keeper of sheep; to us who must porter/keep our own souls/hearts with fear & trembling; to the husband that must keep the his family & finally the modern shepherds of the modern-day church of the Living God who has the awesome responsibility to keep His Church!
Pray for your Pastor & church laborers! “for the good of the church” (GW) Eph 1:22