Today was a day to accomplish much of importance. I was able to get a little done outside but the majority of my day has been at the laptop readying things for Sunday. Thank You, Father, for the gifts and abilities You have given me!
Luke 11:45-54 (<<click to read the passage)
This may be a touchy subject but, how often have the practices of the church driven people from the church instead of lovingly bringing them into the church?
We are quick to jump on the bandwagon of shaking our fingers and clicking our tongues at the Pharisees and experts in religious law with whom Jesus always seemed to be clashing. But conveniently we never seem to come to terms with the fact that we of the church, on many fronts, act and speak in pretty much the same manner. We may use different terminology, but the attitude and mentality are not very different.
As I’ve said, I grew up in a pretty conservative environment. Many of the things that we held to, definitely set us apart from the world, but also put a wall up between us and the world. To be a part of “us”, you had to become like “us”.
Just as Jesus chided the religious leaders of His day for placing so much emphasis on the outside and conveniently forgetting the inside, we had the same mentality – no long hair for men, no short hair for women, no pants for women, no jewelry for men or women, no playing cards, no movies, no dancing…you get the idea. Don’t get me wrong, we were sincere. And I wholeheartedly believe that a majority of those adhering to those “rules” did so with the greatest of intentions. They did so faithfully, believing that that was the way to be holy as God was holy. Holy means to be set apart…and we were set apart alright.
But the question is, did we prevent people from knowing God because that had to follow our rules – yes, they were solidly based on God’s word – but how many people who were searching for God were blocked from finding Him through us because of what we thought had to go hand in hand with our faith?
The rules and regulations I listed? In the denomination in which I grew up, not one of them is really held to any longer. God’s word didn’t change…but we did.
No one is perfect. We all make mistakes. We all have to work through our own struggles and the issues of life. Some make decisions quickly. And for others, it may take a while…or two.
I believe with all my heart that God loves us exactly where we are. He doesn’t want us staying where we are, but He loves us none the less. He is patient. He suffers with our failings but never gives up on us. He knows what we can be – He made us after all…from scratch even! But He waits. He encourages. He pushes, too, but He most certainly will never leave us nor forsake us.
Lord Jesus, first of all, thank You for bearing with me…for sticking with me. Help me to be what You made me to be. And, secondly, enable me to be like You. Help me to love as You do. May I be patient with others who are growing in You, too, and most importantly may I not be guilty of taking away “the key to knowledge (scriptural truth)” but may I throw open the door to Your Kingdom to all who may be eagerly seeking You out.
July 2nd, 2020, Thurs, 7:45 pm
