Rahab's Placemat

I love the "Places" feature Facebook has.
At first it did feel like another stalker tool but when you check-into a delicious restaurant your friends should know about or you're in Islands of Adventure...it's not that bad.

Last weekend was the most I've used that feature and in doing so it reminded me of this article I read on my flight about Rahab.

[Not sure how my mind went from Facebook to Rahab but stick with me, I'm going somewhere]

John Piper, one of my absolute favorite authors wrote this article for Relevant Magazine early last year but I hadn't read it until last weekend. He discusses whether or not lying is ever ok for Christians. Before you get all religious and start quoting scripture, take a second to imagine the place Rahab was at.

Joshua chapter 2 details on how she hides spies in her home.
Sent from Joshua to scope out their promised land.
She saves them from the king of Jericho. And possibly death.
All with one lie.

What a place to be in!

She's a prostitute. Living in a land that is on the verge of being destroyed. Yet because of a nerve-wrecking hide & seek game in the middle of night, she begs for her life and the lives of her family members to be spared because this place she was at, brought out her faith.

I like to think that her faith is what's worth highlighting more than her lie.
And that her courage and willingness to seek salvation deserves to be underlined more than her shameful past.

Much like Rahab, we find ourselves in places where we can either fight for the best God has to offer or settle into the comfort of our present situation.

I'm not saying lying is ok, or that the next time your tempted to lie, you should.
But I am saying that when your in a place you're unsure about, take His way.
Because wherever you are placed, His purpose will be accomplished.
And it takes faith to believe such a truth.

JV