POSH BUT RUGGED

While growing up as a teenager, I found it really difficult to figure out how a gorgeous person from a rich home would come to church and start doing very demeaning chores like cleaning the toilets or carrying bricks with labourers while laying the foundation of a new church building.  Trust me when I say I’ve met some interesting people in my life, I think they are best described as the “Posh but rugged Christians”. Picture this! Imagine a pretty young lady from a wealthy background going to live in a rural area without electricity and good water just to preach the gospel, or that cool-headed and quiet brother that suddenly turns a head-shaking and tongue-spitting firebrand warrior when it comes to prayer, eventually becoming a big terror to the kingdom of darkness.

Back then, I didn’t understand what would make prominent “Doctor somebody” or “Chief Justice VIP” arrange chairs and clean up the church all in the name of being a church worker. Couldn’t anybody else do it, probably someone less significant status-wise? Guess I was too young to understand that to be great in God’s kingdom some “social status” vibes had to go out of the window. This reminds me of what Jesus says in Matthew 18:3 “...Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”

It’s ok to be posh but if being posh is hindering you from getting rugged and down-to-earth for Christ, then check your life! You can’t call yourself a Christian if you are not Christ-like.  If Jesus could leave his wonderful throne in heaven, to be born in a rugged manger just to save you and I then tell me what your problem is?  If Jesus with all His authority and status could wash the feet of his disciples, why do you think you are too big or posh to do certain things in the house of God like sweeping or washing toilets?

Christ was the “posh” Lamb of God but also the “rugged” Lion of the tribe of Judah. Queen Esther was a “posh” queen but also the “rugged” woman who saved the Jews from being destroyed. Deborah was a “posh” woman but also a “rugged” judge, leader and mother in Israel.

Don’t let your riches, status or popularity stop you from being radical for Christ! Don’t let your status stop you from being a terror to the kingdom of darkness! Be rugged enough to stand out for Christ, get active in His vineyard and propagate the gospel. It's good to look good, pretty, and cute or posh and it is also good to be rugged for Christ. Remember “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence and the violent take it by force.”- Matthew 11:12.

Ayodeji Anifowose and Lady May