No Two Ways About It

You can’t walk the way of the world and the way of Jesus at the same time. Because they are going in two different directions. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Busy Avoiding God

People want goals put in front of them, something to strive for, so that they aren’t having to come face-to-face with the futility of their lives. Even people in the church are pushed this way. You’ve got to go, go, go, so we can reach the goal. But what happens after we reach the goal? Do we finally find rest? No! We find futility once again. And so, we need another goal in front of us. I’ve seen this happen with people who are over 100 years old. And I understand it, but I think most people don’t understand it. Because if you see futility, you feel desperation. And then what?

I’m not saying goals are wrong. I’m saying we can’t let goals become God. And for many people their goals are their gods. It’s the center of their lives, what drives them, motivates them, identifies them. They don’t realize the idolatry in this because they’re replacing what only God can give, which is everlasting, with what goals give, which is temporal. And they do these things in the name of God and don’t realize that what’s really at the center of their lives is themselves. And their desire for identity and to remove futility. Instead of submitting to God and finding rest in him.

In the OT mindset, there was a direct link between idolatry and futility. Because worshiping those manmade idols was worthless and wasteful. It was empty, foolish, and mindless. It meant nothing in the end, but destruction. And in Ephesians 4, Paul is saying that a futile mind leads to a futile life. And people run away from the futility by running into activity. Because in their heart they know that they can’t face the truth without having to change the way they live. And they don’t want to. So, they stay busy avoiding God. Even in the name of serving God.

Many churches are full of programs, projects, events, campaigns, and goals to achieve. Sometimes they lump it all together and call it vision casting. And they may do it in the name of serving the community and Christ. But it can serve to sever some people from the reality of their futility. Because they’re busy in the church life, so they think they’re good with God. 

And think of the end of the Sermon on the Mount. People tell Jesus that they did this and this and this for you, and we were involved in that and that and that, in your name. And Jesus says depart from me I don’t know you. And part of what he means is that you don’t know me. In the name of serving God, you can still serve an idol, because you’re still running away from the reality of your futility. You haven’t actually put Jesus in the center of your life, you have worshiped an idol, thinking it was him. But it was just you. 

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Change the World Right Now

I can change the world right now! And so can you. You can help me. The more people do what I’m going to say, the more the world would change. And even if it was just me and you, it would change our world. Are you ready? Here it is: We need to spend less time fighting what we think are other people’s sins, and more time fighting our own sins. We need to spend less time fighting what we think are other people’s sins, and more time fighting our own sins.  

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

Knowing God’s Presence

In Hebrews 13:5, God says, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Many Christians take that promise as a means of comfort. But we should also take it as a means of conviction. And a means of courage.  

Hear what God is saying to you when he says I’ll never leave you or forsake you. Comfort – He loves you, he feels your pain, and he’s not leaving you.  Conviction – He guides you to come towards him, not towards sin. Courage – He knows your situation, and he is with you to help you.    

You can know a lot of facts about God. You can know a lot of theology. Those are good things to learn. But you should also learn to nurture the sense of living Coram Deo – which means “before the face of God,” or “in God’s presence.” Always, at all times, in all places, and all situations, God sees you, knows you, and loves you. Knowing God’s presence will change your life.

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

He Gets Us. Do We Get Him?

I’m sure you’ve seen the ads on commercials, billboards, or the Internet, that says “He gets us.” And it means that Jesus gets us. The ad shows people who are misfits, outcast, downtrodden, marginalized, and oppressed. And the idea is that Jesus knows what that’s like and what you’re going through. And that’s true. But that’s not the whole message. Because there’s more to it than just that. I mean, are we just misfits in society? Or are we also defiant rebels against God? And so yes, Jesus gets us. He understands us and what we’re up against. But he doesn’t just get us. He wants to take us and make us into someone that understands him. Yes, Jesus gets you. But do you get him?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©