Here it is, barely visible, but to me a reminder. Photo by Allison.
I said I’d continue the story from last time. And about my birthday, it’s not till September 1, Labor Day. (Wasn’t everybody born on labor day?)
In my morning meditations of late I’ve come across the Apostle Paul’s metaphor of slavery. Actually it was Jesus who first said, “He who sins is a slave to sin.” Paul went another step, renouncing “slavery to sin” and instead adopting “slavery to righteousness.”*
These are words we don’t use much. I rarely hear about sin unless it’s in a joke. Righteousness seems like a starched collar and just as out of date. And the word slave has no good connotation at all.
But that’s how Paul saw it. Living in a time when a third of the Roman empire was slave, the metaphor was relevant.
Moreover, the slave population looked pretty much like all the rest. A Roman senator once proposed a dress code to identify them but the idea was rejected: The slaves might recognize their numbers and revolt!
There were abuses in the system, of course, but not always. And a slave’s work was not always menial; some were teachers and physicians. Their lives were just not their own.
Going back further in time, Moses instructed on slavery . . . about limited-time ownership. But if a slave loved his master he could opt to stay. They went before the elders and pierced the slave’s ear.**
It was voluntary, and for life.
And that, friends, explains my 70th-birthday ear piercing; my loving and trustworthy master is God himself.
Interestingly, the professional I went to asked why I was doing it and I told him. He said he liked that story, that he’d never heard one like it.
He asked me, when he did it, how it felt. I told him, “meaningful.”
The next day, just happening to have been asked to speak at my church, I made the whole thing public. They, too, found it meaningful.
It’s a public thing, yes; but its reason is personal. It’s a reminder. For the remaining years of life, I’m not my own.
By several commenters last blog, that “talk” was well received; again it’s linked here.
_________________________
* Romans 6:18
** Exodus 21:5-6
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
9:01 am
Wow! The best reason I’ve ever heard! We wish you a beautiful birthday and many more ahead, that we may continue to learn and grow. Thank you, Hyatt.
9:14 am
Aye, Hyatt, it’s a good look, with even a greater meaning. When in Arrowhead last month, I purchased my first ever leather friendship bracelet from an artisan who I admired, and thought, “Oh, my, this is my first purchased bracelet, ever.” Yet, with the cross embedded in the woven piece, I saw it as a token of Jesus, my Friend always, a face that would never turn away. A constant, visual reminder. So like your ring, a symbol of loyalty and love for the One to whom you belong. Happy Birthday, indeed!
9:32 am
Loved the message ! Just listened on my way to see Dad who is old. Love your earring and you, more (Moore.)
10:19 am
Thanks for the sermon, Hyatt. Inspiring and challenging.
I knew a young man in Kathmandu in the 1960’s who pierced his ear for the same reason you did. I was impressed. There were many young Westerners there who were immersed in the drug culture. Some of them, like this fellow, became Christians and stayed on to minister to these people. Having come out of that culture they were able to understand and communicate with these young people in ways others could not.
10:55 am
Loved this! A slave to righteousness!!! Love it! Pierced for life! Great Hyatt! Blessings! Lisa
12:15 pm
Hi Hyatt
I rarely have the time to read all the things I receive daily from people. Your title ‘turning 70’ made me take a look…Beautiful thought and teaching as well as a reminder of our Savior’s great grace that He has bestowed on us in Jesus Christ. Your fellow slave / servant in Christ. Much love to you. 406 270-2842
1:13 pm
I thought that may be the reason…the rest of the story that is. I did the same thing when I turned 50, for the same reason…and that’s another story. Happy Birthday Hyatt!!!
1:14 pm
Hyatt, I cried when I listened to your message at church last week and I cried when I read it again just now. I asked myself, ‘why are you crying…what deep place has this touched that brings such tears?’ And the answer was, ‘he gets it, and you’re not alone…one more friend gets that it’s not about us, it’s about HIM’, The older I become, the more I attempt to listen. And I’m trying not to try, but just be, if that makes sense. And at the same time, always listening. Do they sell spiritual hearing aids, because I’m sure I need a few!?!?! So he can do HIS work, and God willing I will allowed a small part of it, and that’ll be good enough. Happy Birthday, Friend!
5:52 pm
Dave and I send you birthday wishes! Miss you both!!Hope you have a wonderful Labor Day and Birthday.
8:39 am
If my son were to come to me, wanting his ears pierced with the same reason, I’d even pay for it!!
Happy birthday! Your life is a huge blessing and inspiration to the world and to me.