What standard do you measure by?
It seems the entire world uses the metric system. Then you have the United States. We use the Imperial system. We could argue that one system is better than the other. But it would be pointless because millions of people use both and it works.
The point is they have a standard to which the entire group of people subscribes to for their measurements. Imagine the utter chaos if every contractor picked which system they’d use in the USA to build our buildings. It would be very frustrating to say the least. Most likely it would be perilous. It’s hard to build something you set out to build without society as a whole agreeing upon a set standard.
Let’s take that concept a step further. What if every member in the US came up with their own standard? Everyone decided that they knew what was best for their own measurements. I am going to set a basic measurement from my heel to the top of my big toe and I called that my “foot”. What if I used my elbow to my fingertip for another measurement? I call this system the “Grimm Dimension System”.
Now what if I wanted to build a house and I went to my local hardware store and tried to order all my lumber using my “Grimm Dimension System”? Can you think of all the problems I might run into? This among many other reasons is why we all subscribe to a standard above us all to which we can appeal. It creates order, gives us a frame of reference we can understand the world around us by, allows us to create in unity with a team of individuals (in this case skilled builders), and allows us to build things like our dream homes.
We can all agree this is a good thing. Having a standard to which we can all appeal to is a good thing.
Why can we agree that a standard higher than us all is better than us all having our own standards when it comes to measurements and building things but we can’t agree upon a standard when it comes to how we rule our lives and society?
At our restaurant, we have a very high set of brand standards that we all have to follow. Some of us choose to follow those standards and others don’t. The ones who choose to follow the standards excel. In turn, the restaurant excels too.
The ones who don’t follow our standards do not excel. They are corrected and encouraged to follow our standards because we know they work. They are based on a proven system of excellence and safety.
If they continue to not follow our standards they will not excel and sometimes even be asked to leave. Why? Am I being heartless? No! As a matter of fact, I am showing great care by giving them a chance to get our standards right! If they don’t the restaurant as a whole will suffer. It doesn’t just affect them!
This same principle is true in every facet of life. This is why we see so much chaos, heartache, division, destruction, and death in our present world today. We all have our own standards to which we appeal but none of us want to relinquish our own standards and appeal to the one that’s above us all. It’s a standard of excellence, mercy, love and forgiveness.
It’s the standard of Jesus Christ. He showed us a way apart from our selfishness and showed us how to love one another, serve one another, and even love and pray for our enemies. This is a standard that requires we leave our own “measurements” behind and agree to be unified by the standard of love.
“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” – John 15:13
“Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.” – Luke 9:23
Jesus showed us what this looks like by example. He calls each of us to give up what we want, and what we desire to pursue something greater beyond our present circumstances that can bring true change, healing, restoration and answers. In a time of uncertainty, it can bring certainty. Hope that does NOT disappoint.
We’ve tried to do it our own way and convince others its the “right” way. This is why social media is so filled with hate and hurtful rhetoric. We’re all trying to do it our own way and convince others its the right way. How’s it working? I’ve been taught that our opinions are like armpits. We all have them, and they all stink.
If you’re tired, if you’re hurting and you want to see change, if you want to see our country and ultimately our world full of love and care once again, I want to challenge you to appeal to a higher standard that transcends us all. Forsake your own “measurements.” Appeal to the Way that’s above us all. It’s the only way we will ever be able to “measure UP”.
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” – John 14:6
