C.R.E.A.M.

A very popular song in the 90’s, C.R.E.A.M. by Wu Tang Clan, sums up many songs from that time and today: Cash Rules Everything Around Me. Not just cash though, money, power and respect. Those are the keys to live, or so it is told. In fact, if you look at the top 10 songs on Billboard’s top 100, they are all about one thing: The Self. Looking out for #1 is the highest priority. Whether it’s our own pleasure, security, clothing, entertainment, or power. Western society says we have to take care of ourselves first or we will fall behind.

On the other hand, Jesus calls us to be meek. He is not telling us to be weak or let people run over us. This is not what the original Greek word meant. It means to lay aside your own strength and your own power and submit to God. The ancient Greeks used the word to describe a tamed horse. Horses are very powerful animals but they allow their masters to control them. Jesus is our master. He is asking us to let Him take control.

The problem we have is we don’t want to give up control. We don’t want to submit to God even though we call ourselves Christians. Jesus said the meek will be blessed, or happy, and will inherit the earth (Matt. 5:5) They will inherit the earth because they submitted to God and are living for Him. On the other hand, near the end of Jesus’ sermon on the mount, He said this to those who professed to follow God: “I never knew you. Go away from me, you lawbreakers!” (Matt. 7:23). Jesus didn’t know them because they were not meek. They did not submit to God’s will. They wanted to do what they wanted to do.

The choice is ours. Who are we going to submit to? Will you submit to Jesus? Or, will you submit to no one? As for me, Christ Rules Everything Around Me!