Today's Devotional
February 28, 2002
Subject: What's Happening To You?
Proverbs 14:4 "Where no oxen are, the crib is clean but
much increase is by the strength of the ox."
A friend asked me today, "What's happening to you?" Of course
they knew the answer, but here is what I said:
What's happening to me? Well, I'm just being who God made me to be - a man
in search of Him. It's so easy to do that when you really want to.
When the cares of life seem so much more important to you, then you don't do it
as much. He has a way of getting your attention though when you pray to
Him about making you more like Him. If I didn't desire to become more like
Him, then I'm sure my life would be a lot "easier." Who wants an
easy, mediocre, half-hearted Christian walk? Sadly that's what most
believers settle for because they don't want to "suffer" in any
way. That's the problem with the prosperity gospel that says that everyone
deserves million dollar homes, fine homes, fine cars and no physical
problems. The "real" gospel talks about Jesus and who He is and
not what you "deserve." There isn't a prosperity gospel any more
than there is a black gospel or a white gospel. There is only the message
that God loved us so much that He sent His Son to die so that we wouldn't have
to, because death is what we "all" really "deserve."
Let's not forget that He not only died but that He arose so that His guarantee
of eternal life can be a reality for those who have been put to death with Him
(crucified with Christ).
Which brings me to a point about effortless, painless, sufferingless
Christianity that some preach today. Like the scripture above teaches, if
we don't want the "mess" that comes with being a Christian, then we
will settle in for a mediocre Christian life. Satan has no need to bother
a Christian who feels that way. Your house (crib) can remain quite clean
and people may even praise you for it's tidiness in your neat little life.
Satan hasn't been before the throne asking God to challenge you like He did
Job. He's got "real" people to go after.
This passage to me seems to be about how we face life as believers. You
can take the easy way out (get rid of the ox) and do nothing, so that you never
have to worry about cleaning up the mess around you, or you can decide that you
want more of God and you'll do whatever it takes to get there even if it leaves
a mess. Jesus amazingly said that I come not to bring peace, but a sword
because He knew that the real message would bring about division among
some. That can leave a mess in your home life (one seeking God, one not
seeking but professing to). That can leave a mess in your church (some
seeking, some just showing up). That can leave a mess at work (your boss
can't understand why you won't "compromise" your beliefs and fires
you). Your life could simply get really messy if you decide that you want
God to rule it. So I tell you now, though it can get messy, don't get rid
o the ox because there's so much more to be gained. There is so much more
to be gained by living in His strength and He will clean up the mess eventually.
Carlen
