Inherit The Earth

Perhaps you were as shocked as I was when this picture came out of a long line of mountaineers queuing to reach the summit on Mt. Everest. Apparently the government of Nepal was also a bit shocked. Nepal is ordering mountaineers not to share photographs of other climbers without government consent. It’s not the image they want to portray; I guess it looks too commercial, like a line for a Disney ride. However the cost of a Disney ticket is considerably less then the $50,000 to $160,000 you will shell out to climb Mt. Everest. I suppose taking a selfie on the peak of Mt. Everest is priceless.

I wonder sometimes why people like to go big. I look at pastors of Mega Churches and pastors of large churches that are striving to develop Mega Churches and ask myself why. I’ve also been in plenty of medium size and even small congregations that desire to grow large but obviously don’t have the charisma or organizational skills to do so. What is it in a person’s heart that thinks bigger is better? Is bigger always better? I’ve learned over the years to examine my heart when I find myself striving for growth and longing for the fame that would accompany an increased number of followers. It would be interesting to ask pastors why they want to grow large followings.

During one of our House Church gatherings, my friend Vince brought up the verse in Matthew 5:5 where Jesus says that the meek will inherit the earth. I’ve always had a problem with what “inherit the earth” means. I found this online at https://www.unityportrichey.org/inherit-earth.

First it is important to realize that when Jesus spoke of the “earth” he did not mean merely soil, this planet we call earth. It really means manifestation. In other words, your “earth” means the whole of your outer experiences, and to “inherit the earth” means to have power to bring your conditions of life into harmony and truth. Jesus was referring to the conditions of our lives from our bodily health outward to the farthest point in our affairs. So Jesus was telling us how we may be masters of our own lives and destinies. How then does Jesus suggest this is done? In a certain way that may seem quite unexpected… through meekness.

Sometimes Jesus doesn’t make sense. Through meekness we inherit the earth? In this world, I am tempted to think big, to climb to the peak of Mt. Everest with a long line of followers. I long for fame and fortune. In reality, like Christ, I find it better to have meaningful relationships with a small group of people. Spending time camping or having coffee with a friend brings me much more joy than if I was preaching sermons in front of thousands of church members. Following Jesus’ example brings harmony and peace into my life and I truly can say that I am “inheriting the earth”.