From the balcony in the center of this building, Benito Mussolini, the Fascist dictator of Italy, declared war on Great Britain and France in 1940, launching Italy towards disaster. As I visited Rome last week and took in all this history, I was reminded of the arrogance of man and the quiet, slow work of God.
From the same balcony, Mussolini addresses the crowds.
Rome is filled with the allure of grandeur. Everywhere you turn are monuments and churches and statues and columns. Most of it built, including many of the churches, to remind the world of the greatness of the builders. It is truly awe-inspiring. However, God usually works in a different way, quietly growing his kingdom, usually out of sight. While crowds fade and leaders fall and monuments crumble, the Kingdom of God goes on.
When we are tempted to follow the “great man,” the one who draws the crowds and promises us a wonderful future, let us remember that it’s wiser to follow the humble savior, the one true king, the architect of an eternal kingdom.
The picture above shows one of the most significant buildings in the ancient world. Can you pick it out?
To the left is the Roman Forum, the center of ancient Rome. You see arches erected to celebrate great Roman victories and temples to the ascendant gods of Rome. Here the empire began and in this place the Caesar’s displayed their glory.
To the right is a building with “MAMERTINUM” over the door. This newer building covers an ancient well, which became an ancient prison, which became the last home of the Apostle Paul. It is from this dank, buried cell that Paul wrote, I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
As I emerged from that cell and pondered the last home of Paul (and likely Peter), I couldn’t help but think of the test of time. While Paul sat in that pit, a powerful empire flowed around him, seemingly invincible, poised to last forever. Yet, a few hundred years later, the empire collapsed and cattle grazed among the ruins.
But Paul’s writing persisted. The churches he founded grew and prospered. Tours of Christian people visit Rome daily, from the US, China, Africa – everywhere the faith Paul promoted has spread.
During the glory days of Rome names like Nero and Caesar were on everyone’s lips, while Paul and Peter were little-known fanatics. But today, we name our sons Peter and Paul, while we name our dogs Nero and Caesar. An encouraging reminder in a world as short-sighted and self-absorbed as Rome was all those years ago.
I’m happy to announce that Seers, Sayers, Schemers & Saints is now available in the Kindle version on Amazon.com. You can purchase the print version at Crustore.org. If you feel inclined, I would love for you to post a review on Amazon and Goodreads.com, which would be a great help to me as the author.
If you haven’t gotten a copy, I encourage you to download it or send for one, I think you’ll be encouraged by what you read.
Conviction spread through my psyche like the heat of a habanero spreads from your mouth to your pores. In reading through the Bible this year, I arrived at Romans 12, where Paul lays out his thoughts on living as a Christ-follower to the church members in Rome. Simple to read, complicated to live. I have a long way to go. Here’s what stood out to me, verse-by-verse:
Verse 1: “Present yourself as a sacrifice.” Sacrifices don’t have rights, they are given away to be used by another. More on this later.
Verse 2: “Do not be configured by the age, but be transformed by the renewal of the intellect.” Where is this age configuring me? Twisting me? Turning me?
Verse 3: Think soberly, keep a clear head. Your faith, if it is a Christian faith, requires it.
Verses 4-8: Serve as you are gifted.
Verse 9: Love sincerely, not as a hypocrite.
Verse 10: Preference other people before you.
Verse 11: Slave away for the Lord. As in, work really, really hard with no recognition.
Verse 12: Endure affliction and persevere in prayer. Suffering is part of the journey.
Verse 13: Provide for the needy by being hospitable.
Verse 14: Bless, don’t curse, your persecutor.
Verse 15: Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Pay attention to others and respond accordingly.
Verse 16: Stay humble (if there is one thing God hates, it’s pride).
Verse 17: Do not repay evil for evil.
Verse 18: Be at peace with all. Turn the other cheek (as a famous person once said).
Verse 19: Revenge, a dish best served cold, belongs to the Lord. Apparently, God keeps a record and settles old scores. We may not take an eye for an eye (see verse 17), but the Lord reserves the right to do so.
Verse 20: Pile your enemy with food and drink. Your kindness may lead to their repentance (i.e. “heap burning coals upon their head).
Verse 21: Extinguish evil with good.
What a list. I’m not sure I’m doing so well – how about you? Described here is not a therapeutic faith existing primarily to meet our needs and salve our wounds. Rather, Paul lays out a counter-cultural lifestyle of clear-headed thinking, hard work and service. This includes taking blows from others without retaliating, rejecting wisdom promoted by the world and staying ever humble. Small wonder so few step this direction.
How to even start living this life? Remember verse one. By thoughtfully giving God everything you have and everything you are and everything you will be, in other words, “presenting yourself as a living sacrifice,” you open yourself to the Lord. His hands mold you, while the Holy Spirit empowers you to live as Paul recommends.
I’ve seen sacrifices in other parts of the world, gifts to the gods, including food & drink, money and even live animals. Paul used imagery that was common in his day, but now much harder for us to imagine. The life of the animal serving as a sacrifice is taken, never to return. It is bloody and final. Dead on the ground.
Thankfully we remain a “living sacrifice,” one God uses to serve and care for others. A sacrifice that reminds the world of God’s goodness and presence, one alive and transformed to live out God’s good, acceptable and perfect will. A will that involves suffering, humility, and loving those we don’t like. Did I mention earlier that I have a long way to go?
Join me in reading the Bible cover to cover in 2026. If you spend 30 minutes a day on social media, you can read through the Bible in a year. Download the 5 Day Bible Reading Plan, grab your Bible and join in. You’ll be glad you spent this year with the men and women of Scripture.
Seers, Sayers, Schemers & Saints
Stories to encourage you with the leadership experiences of overlooked men and women of the Bible. Their lives will inform your story, and move you to step out and lead.
GO: Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth
This book contains reflections on the Lordship of Christ, the Great Commission, and a life of adventure and eternal significance. Read this book and you won't be able to sit still!
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Cru Press
GO: Following Jesus to the Ends of the Earth
