Road Repair
(This message is also available at: http://pastorjimdorton.blogspot.com/)
We have established these topics: Road Repair, Vision Correction, Surgical Repair, and Rehab and Therapy. By no means are these the only ways, or is this the only perspective, to look at Lent. However, as we now spend a few days in each one, what we look at will be based on Scripture.
In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.” This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: “A voice of one calling in the desert, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”
God said it first, as a matter of fact; He made it the first Law of Laws. Centuries later there seems to have been some confusion as a Pharisee asked Jesus: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.’” (Matthew 22:37-37)
Jesus was quoting the words we find given to the Israelites in Deuteronomy 6, and in the fifth chapter of that book we find the Ten Commandments, which God began with “Have no other gods before me.” The Old Testament lists several other gods that people made up and convinced others to pursue, from Ashtaroth and Baal to Kiyyun and Bel. Today, this conversation could go in the direction of non-Christian religions; however there is another problem we need to address.
When the Old Testament peoples ran after other gods, they were looking for connection, security, power, and protection in some form or another. Likewise, modern day people have created a whole slew of gods: careers, money, activities, etc. They may not worship them in a church/temple setting; but do they not make sacrifices for them?
God detested the Baals and other false Gods, but it seemed no surprise that heathens sought them. He seemed to suffer particular pain, however, when His chosen people ran after the other gods. And so it is today. It is no surprise that those outside the faith seek fulfillment in something other than God. But it causes Him particular pain when we, Christian believers, allow anything to come between Him and us. But we do.
Wealth. Poverty. Stuff. Activities. Sports. Schedules. TV. Church. Anything that gets between Him and us.
What is more important to us than God? We want to say “nothing” but can we? Does anything distract us from worship or must we get to some other event? Do we spend time worshiping Him other than Sunday morning or is ‘my show’ on? Do we “pray without ceasing”? Have we prayed today? Did we spend time listening in prayer? Do we know much more of His Word than we did a year ago?
What is more important to us than God? Anything that causes us to answer those questions in a way other than the way we should.
What is more important to us than God? Let’s make a list. Let’s start getting that stuff, that debris, out of the road. Let us prepare the way, clear the way, between us and God.
Lord willing, see you tomorrow. Pastor Jim,
P.S. If you need a starting place for spiritual discipline, consider the following: Starting today, and then first thing tomorrow morning, I challenge you to listen to God, with this five-minute exercise:
1) Do this as soon as you wake up. Set your clock a few minutes early if that is what you need to get up ahead of the household noise. Lay your Bible by your bed as a reminder. 2) Go to the quietest place in your house, outside, your kitchen, your bathroom...wherever. 3) Pray for 1 minute that God would speak to you. Audibly, out loud, ask Him to remove Satan from your presence for this time. Ask Him to remove distractions and mental clutter. During this time, do not ask Him for anything else, do not thank Him for anything else, do not pray for anyone else (but please find another prayer time for all these things). 4) Open your Bible and read for 2 minutes. This is God talking to you through His Word. Listen to Him. 5) Close your Bible and be silent for 3 minutes. Listen for Him. He may come as a thought, a nudge, an idea. For a while, He may seem hard to hear. There is so much clutter in our minds! Keep listening.
This may seem difficult. You will hear every creaking tree branch. You will hear every barking dog. But like Elijah's time in the cave, God is not in the tree branch, God is not in the dog. Persevere. Listen for the gentle whisper.
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