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We Are All Worms, But I Believe I Am
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A Glowworm
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When I first read the quote, it puzzled me. We are all familiar with the old hymn that speaks of God saving "such a worm as I," but this quote seemed to put a unique spin on Churchill's understanding of his own depravity. As I contemplated the quote, I assumed Churchill was acknowledging ALL people are depraved, but he--unlike most--believed himself to be depraved. But something didn't feel right. The quote didn't fit with what I knew of Churchill. Nor is it a quote I think appropriate for a man of honor, integrity and confidence. Then, as I came back through the museum on my way out, I discovered there were two additional words that were hidden from view. These two words were typed on a bend in the board that turned away from the entrant's direct eyesight. The two words I missed walking in were:
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Wow. What a turn to the phrase via these two words. They change the entire meaning of the sentence. Churchill is saying, "I'm special." That made sense to me and seemed consistent with what I knew of Churchill's character.
Application: Every child of God is a glowworm. We evangelicals are often reminded of our depravity and our sinfulness by preachers. We are reminded that we are worms. However, any depraved man or woman for whom Christ died is a glowworm. You cannot be a recipient of God's grace and remain a common worm. You can't participate in union with Christ and remain a simple ground crawler. You and I are glowworms. Many Christians make the same mistake I made when walking through the entrance of Churchill's museum -- I didn't go far enough. It's true we are worms, but it is quite a different matter to believe oneself a glowworm. Confidence, self-assurance, purpose, significance, and fulfillment in life come from the glow. God's grace puts the glow in this worm, and I'm hoping He does for you too.
15 comments:
If we believe we're "New Creations" in Christ, we must ask ourselves "What sort of creation would God produce?".
Sort of shoots down the "just a poor sinner, saved by grace" thinking, for me.
Bingo Bob!
Big bingo.
Wade,
Ah, yes---Churchill.
“If you were my husband, I’d give you poison!”
“If you were my wife, I’d take it!”
Good post, but why start this one until others are finished? Its like ‘Hillbilly Views’ said, “I guess we must wait for Wade to respond…”
Rex,
My ability to respond to comments is quite limited because of time and other commitments. I don't always have a chance even to read all the comments. This short post was typed in my phone in London, England and I'll be returning later to the US later today.
Wade,
Very good…I understand. I’m glad you didn’t respond like Obama: “As long as I’m president…I will not negotiate.”
I believe if the people took care of the first part of his statement, we wouldn’t worry about the second.
Rex,
I was wondering why you do not express some of God's grace toward our President? With all the apparent spectacle of certain "paid for" opposition from men who seek to build reputation's opposing him, I would think we as Christians should be praying for him. At least the scriptures refer to this type of benevolence toward Leaders....
Chris Baumgart,
“With all the apparent spectacle of certain "paid for" opposition from men who seek to build reputation's opposing him” tells me who you voted for.
Do you want me to pray for him like Wiley Drake?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wiley_Drake
Would you please reply to this link:
http://safeshare.tv/w/zwhKdMtFHf
Do you think the congressman is trying to build a reputation or is he trying to save America?
Rex,
Thank you for responding and giving me some homework.... I will tune to these links ASAP. -respectfully, I need to ask you about, "what exactly is the congressman saving America from? -and do you (and others you know) partake in the Medicare programs available to seniors?
Rex,
To your first question, praying an imprecatory prayer for our current President disregards God's position of His children living out their Fathers benevolent character. So at best you asked me this question from a heart of certain held prejudices you may very well be holding deep in your soul.
In other words, you aren't listening, Or not hearing correctly the, "heart" of my initial question. Back to my homework!
Rex,
Second link: per Congressman Rodgers, ok, he does not want any Healthcare reform at all. He expounds to change nothing. Let the 15 percent who have no healthcare suffer, rather than the 85 percent who've "earned it" - now Rex, do you enjoy knowing that many without healthcare suffer physically with illness? Fair question to a Christian man such as yourself.
Chris Baumgart,
I know the “heart’ of your initial question about praying for those who are in government, but when the government is NOT for the people it’s like praying for Hitler.
The Congressman quoted: “You don’t make a weak man strong by making a strong man weak.”
In other words: “Don’t rob Peter to pay Paul.” (Don’t remember where that came from.)
You asked if I enjoy knowing many without healthcare suffer.
That’s like asking if I enjoy that some people are poor. Jesus said, “You will always have the poor…” (Matthew 26:11 NLT)
I believe some—not all—are poor because they make poor choices like spending for what they want instead of what they need.
It’s been said that a wise person learns from the mistakes of others. The Congressman brought that out by comparing the treatment of cancer in America to Canada.
Obamacare will force many companies to raise their prices and the consumer will pay the difference. If they don’t raise their price, they may cut the number of hours worked so they won’t be forced to give them Obamacare which means their employees will not have any healthcare.
I’m 81 and I’ve never seen America in such a mess. But our condition now will be just the tip of the iceberg if government runs our healthcare.
I’d like to show an example of a government run VA and Medicare. The VA at Bonham, TX said from X-rays that I needed a knee replacement, but for two years the VA in Dallas (the one that would do the operation) ‘stalled’ until my other knee became worse than the first one. Dallas sent a 90 day supply of pain killer (that I had to pay) to see if that would fix the problem. I went to a local hospital and Medicare took care of it which I paid 20% . (Obamacare may say I’m too old for knee replacements.)
Thirty-seven days ago, I got cellulitis in my ankle. I went to the VA and they said they would contact the wound clinic in Dallas. A VA nurse said if I wanted fast treatment I should use my private insurance and see a doctor. I took her advice. I still haven’t heard from the VA. I’m on the third change of antibiotics, pain pills, and a cane.
Rex,
Thank you for sharing your insights and first hand experiences. My first experience with healthcare was being born into the military. I did my time at Ft. Lenordwood, Missouri as a newborn. No complaints about the care I received, mother assured me everything went fine. :) I decided to speak out this time, after I had a chance reading through other topics Wade has addressed in weeks past knowing your adverse stance against our current President. And for the record, I did vote in favor of the Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act. As a Christian involved in the community I have heard and seen great evidence of those who's plight is receiving good healthcare but can not because they can not pay the heavy premiums offered by insurance companies nor are they, though working hard, covered by their employers... Private businesses have the luxury of shaping what they chose to offer.
We are both Christians first, citizens of heaven, our allegiance to Christ surpasses any form of government here on earth... So it is the Words of Jesus Christ we are obligated to uphold, or not. Using the New Testament is vital as our measure against the words and laws of men. As a friend and brother in the Lord I would hope you will understand that there is NO Word from the Lord that supports your position to be found in the New Covenant. That in the Court of the Judge of Judges, in eternity, nothing said or examples above will hold "any water" as God holds you and others accountable for not doing what needed to be done when the Opportunity presented itself in our lifetime here on earth, in this country.
It is best to use our Lords example as our example. I may not convince you here as what is now Law, and the new course in Healthcare that this country is set on, that it is a good thing, that it is the beginning for millions to finally get some type of care to treat their suffering. But I would implore you to find a way through faith to Love others as the Lord loves you. Are you familiar with the scriptures of treating others as you would have them treat you? That here the fruits of the Holy Spirit would spill out, gentleness, kindness, patience, long suffering...love. Rex, in a short time you will enter into eternity. And you will sit down with a man named Lazarus. And you will talk about the goodness of God and you will remember today. -peace
Chris Baumgart,
“Peace”?
You remind me on my twin brother. When we were boys, he would squirt water in my face and say “Let’s have peace.”
What position did you have that enabled you to vote for the “Patient Protection and Affordable Healthcare Act”?
Why did millions like me NOT get a chance to vote? Think about that.
How does a plan add 15% more people to healthcare without adding any more doctors?
The added thousands of government people to control everything won’t help and their salaries must be paid, so the answer must be somewhere else. It’s simple—who needs the most care? The old people! Limit what would have gone to them.
I believe Jesus had some advice about NOT taking care of the elderly.
In eternity, I won’t remember any debating of today, but I may remember the smiles and sometimes tears of the goodbyes that we’ve encountered in working 20 years with Volunteer Christian Builders, and the 18 overseas mission trips to Russia, Israel, and Japan…not to mention the many trips to Alaska and Mexico.
What about all those who were affording health insurance and now cannot because Obamacare makes it unaffordable?
Linda
Chris, Pray for us as our health care is increasing 500 per month because of the "Affordable health care Act". Oh, and what it covers is less.
I will pray for Obama to remember we are not a socialist country and it would have been cheaper and less IRS involvement to simply give 30 million people health care vouchers than to force 300 million in a plan congress and Obama are exempt from. That is your first clue. When congress is exempt from a law they pass, it cannot be good for us.
Wade, I read about the glowworm in one of the many books I have read on Churchill. I had NO idea it was in the bunker, though.
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