If today, two billion Christians were, for the sake of our brothers and sisters, to stop looking for material comfort, what would happen to the world? There might be economic chaos. There might also be an end to hunger and injustice. The world would be turned upside down.

            If today two billion Christians were, for the sake of serving others, to stop looking for our own pleasure, what would happen to the world? The “entertainment” industry might collapse. There might also be a healthy sharing of friendship, fellowship, and joy. The world would be turned upside down.

            If today two billion Christians were, for the sake of standing upright before God, to give up what makes us fit in and be popular in our society what would happen to the world? We might be called fools and might even be persecuted or crucified. We might also be the light of the world. The world would be turned upside down.

            The Gospel presents us with a decision and a consequence. We must decide who Jesus is, and upon what authority he says some very strange things. If we decide that he knows how the world is meant to function because he made it, then we must accept the consequences. We have been living upside down.

• Thought for the week:  In these days of instant communication, handwritten notes are especially appreciated. Write one or two this week.
• Smile for the week: Why is it that whenever you attempt to catch something that’s falling off the table, you always manage to knock something else over?