Our pastor caused me to have an epiphany of sorts a couple of weeks ago.

Before I get into the epiphany though, I first need to explain what I refer to as "Scott's Theology 101."  It has been my observation that all sin can ultimately be traced back to "me."  Not me personally, mind you, but it seems that the root cause of all sin for each person comes down to he or she thinking about themselves.

This can be traced all the way back to the original sin.  No, I am not talking about Adam and Eve (yet), but the real original sin, when Lucifer said "I will make myself like the Most High." (Isaiah 14:14)  This then led to the tempting of Eve... "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate" (Gen 3:6, NASB, emphasis mine).  She wanted to make herself wise.

I have thought about this for quite some time, and I cannot think of any sin that does not involve the sinner ultimately working for his/her own ends.

Although I am sure that this is not an original idea, I have never heard anyone else preach or teach about this.

Now for the epiphany.  The pastor said (I am paraphrasing) "Salvation through Christ frees us to serve others."  This started a line of thought in me.  Just as all sin comes from our selfish desires, all false religion is also based in selfishness.  Even with those religions that outwardly do many good works, the impetus for those good works is ultimately selfish.  The adherents are doing those good works to get something out of it for themselves, whether it is just the opportunity to "feel good about themselves," or as a way to earn their way into heaven, paradise, nirvana, or what have you.  When it comes right down to it. it comes back to selfishness.

One of the things that makes Christianity unique is that it ultimately takes "me" out of the picture.  Once I realize that there is nothing that I can do to earn God's favor, or my way into heaven, I can get out of the way and let God do His work in me.

This is why Christ emphasizes servanthood.  ""So the last shall be first, and the first last." (Matt 20:16, NASB), "If anyone wants to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:35b, NASB).

We still need to be careful that we are not serving in order for us to be first.  That is what agape is all about.

"It is not about me."

This is just the kernel of an idea.  I need to think through it and develop it more. 

So, here we are...

Got some exciting news last week.  I have been cast to play "the one role I want to play before I die."  That being Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof.  It's actually kind of scary.  I consider myself to be OK as a singer, but not great by any means.  And Tevye sings a LOT!!!

Fortunately, there is only one really big song, that being "If I Were a Rich Man."  The rest comes in relatively small snippets.  However, we are scheduled to do both a matinee and an evening performance on the Saturday of the run.  That's really going to put my voice to the test.

Also fortunately, we don't start rehearsals until January 7, with performances the last weekend in February.  So I have a little time to get my voice into some kind of shape.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME!!!

TTFN