Those of you who follow my devotionals know by now that I get a lot of my inspirations from the book "Search My Heart, O God" by Kay Arthur , sub-titled "365 Appointments With God" , from which I read one every day. I love the book because each day's readings are "short and to the point." I frequently dog-ear pages that I think would make a good devotional message to encourage others. The one on September 14th had a message that fit the bill, so I felt led to share it with you today. It started out, "Do you have a ho-hum Christianity?" "Ho-hum" is not a phrase that's used that much today, but when you do hear it, you instantly know what's being conveyed. So, I went to the Web to get a definition of the word. It had two: (1) "dull, boring, flat, out-of-date, or lacking in originality"; (2) "indifferent or lacking enthusiasm". Well, I thought that neither of the definitions fit the Christianity I know, but they sure might fit how some of us seem to act in our treatment of practicing the faith that we say we love. The article talked about how we present ourselves as Christians, such that people looking at us from the outside, would be able to see that we are different than others who do not consider themselves Christians. I guess the real question is, "Do we practice what we preach? Or, on the other hand, are many of us guilty of too frequently just going through the motions? That means that, no matter what else may be going on in our lives, we show up (sometimes, but not always with consistency) on Sunday mornings for the obligatory 90-minute service, and greet each with a smile and handshake (or in the case at Grace Harbor, with a hug) because we think that's what's expected of us. Yet, on Monday through Saturday, is there anything that we do, with our lives as "practicing Christians", that is any different than what "non-Christians" do with their lives? I think that the key might lie in the word "practicing". How many of us are really "practicing Christians, and what does that mean? Like so many other things that some of us might be passionate about, i.e., reality shows, sports, television, movies, etc., are we equally as passionate with our time in pursuing spiritual things that have eternal meaning?
Well, a perfect place to take a good, hard look at ourselves might be to see what He says about it. What does Jesus call (command) us to do as followers who believe in Him? Mark 8:34 would be an excellent place to start – "IF anyone wishes to come after Me, he must DENY HIMSELF, TAKE UP HIS CROSS, and FOLLOW ME". How do we, as "practicing Christians" fare at the end of the day if we quiz ourselves based on this as the test? If you will notice, there doesn't seem to be much leeway here because He doesn't give us lukewarm options "if" we choose Him. He is a loving God who gives us the choice to come after Him, because we can, after all, just as easily choose not to. But if we do choose, then certain things are expected (commanded) of us. The word He uses is must, not "maybe should", or "if you feel like it just for today", or "I'll start tomorrow when I'm not so busy". That would make our belief system "ho-hum", and I, for one, don't want to think of myself as that sort of Christian. But, I also recognize that sometimes life's demands seem to be so overwhelming that we don't think that we have the time to do what Jesus Christ has asked of us. You've heard it before, and it's true, that "God doesn't give us more than we are capable of handling". Denying one's self means simply to put Him first. Take up His Cross means simply to obey him and commit to do the things that he has called us to do. To follow Him means simply that we listen to His voice spoken clearly through His Word. There was a phrase that came out a number of years back, that seemed overused a bit, but it's so true - W W J D - "What Would Jesus Do"? If you think about it, that phrase really gives us the easiest and the best way to keep ourselves from developing "Ho-Hum" Christianity because our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is anything but Ho-Hum. If we ask Him, I for one believe that He will help us find that “passion for Him” that seems to have been lost by so many of us.
I'll close with the words of a song that our Sister-in-Christ, Dolly, appropriately closed our Council Meeting on Monday night - "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in His wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His glory and grace.” And all of God's people (“practicing Christians”) say "Amen" ! Have a very blessed weekend. You are always invited to join us at Grace Harbor Church & School for worship and fellowship on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m.
In Him, Charlotte
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