Authentic

Father, may I watch You closely
as I walk the narrow way.
May Your hand be ever guiding
as I strive to never stray.

Each day has its set of struggles
may I ever faithful be
I’m grateful that my heart You’re keeping
and that someday Your face I’ll see.

Jude 1-16 (<<click here to read the passage)

I remember going on a family vacation as a child. Someone had given us the use of a cabin in the middle of nowhere. The road there was one lane in the hills of West Virginia. If you met anyone along the way, one of you would have to back up to a space wide enough to let the other pass! To say the least, it was remote.

Well, our stay was short-lived, not because of its remoteness but because of unwanted guests. As we opened the door to go in, what should fall to the floor but a snake! It wasn’t very big but it along with another we found on a bed, if I remember correctly, did us in. We were out of there!

It was a nice cabin, solidly built. There were no obvious entry points for our unwanted, slithery “guests” but they had “wormed their way” in. v4

As Christians, it is important to be on our guard against falsehoods – and their deliverers – from worming their way into [our] churches and hearts and minds as well. We would do well to take to heart the warning of Jude as he describes these ne’er-do-wells who would seek to infiltrate the ranks of the saints.

“These people are grumblers and complainers, living only to satisfy their desires. They brag loudly about themselves, and they flatter others to get what they want.” vs.16

Lord, help me to first keep my eyes firmly fixed on you. If I know You – the perfect example of who I am to emulate – then I will never be fooled by counterfeit reproductions. Then, second, may I always be authentic and never fake when it comes to living out my life for You. Help me to be the real deal. Amen.

(May 30^th, 2017, Tues, 6:35 am)
June 13^th, 2023, Tues, 6:03 pm