It’s OK to be a ‘putz’ while following God

A number of weeks ago I was entering the Palmer Post Office and I saw a lady who was also approaching the door. I waited for her and held the door open so she could enter.

She said, “Thank you,” and then went into the entryway and held the door for me saying, “Let me return the favor.” I also thanked her.

As she walked away I muttered under my breath, “I guess I’m old-fashioned. I’m used to holding doors for the ladies rather than the other way around.” Another man who was there and heard me commented, “But, that’s not the way it’s done these days.”

Are you old-fashioned? I know that is a loaded question. I am sure all of us are influenced by the way we were raised and the customs of our youth. Just blindly following the customs of the past is not necessarily a safe thing. Martin Luther saw the reliance on custom and tradition in the church of his time and worked for reform or change. This reform brought the church more in line with God’s word.

I am not a proponent of the racial prejudice I saw as a child in the south. I am glad that custom of racism has been reformed and is not the accepted practice in our society any longer. Maybe there are some customs that are good and some that aren’t.

But, there is a way in which I am old-fashioned. I believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God himself, and therefore is the basis for my faith and life as a Christian, as a husband and as a pastor.

You see, I believe God is smarter than I am. I believe that God is wiser than I am. I believe the words of Isaiah 55 where God speaks to us saying, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways. As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”

When it comes to behaviors like speaking the truth, respecting authorities, being merciful, practicing godly chastity, refraining from greed, supporting God’s church, setting priorities and other behaviors, I seek to follow what God says to me in his word. I believe the words of Psalm 119:105: “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”

This attitude of looking to the long-written words of Scripture is considered old fashioned in many arenas these days.

While I don’t want to blindly follow customs and traditions of the past that may not necessarily serve God or may not be appropriate in our modern times, there are some things that don’t change. Trusting God’s wisdom and trusting God’s love, I also trust his word for guidance.

That may be why I continue to believe that a good mission statement for God’s church, and a good mission statement for St. John, is the motto of the Reformation: “By grace alone, by faith alone, by Scripture alone.” I believe this is God’s direction as revealed in Scripture.

There are some places where I have become part of the new culture. I’ve become part of the new computer and communication age. But, I still think I should hold the doors for the ladies. I guess in some ways I am old fashioned. My kids just call me a “putz.” I’m just trying to follow the guidance of God and to live in faith and love.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor of St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer. Contact him at jonrock53@mtaonline.net.

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