Have you ever found yourself sitting in church, listening to the sermon, and
suddenly your mind begins to drift? Or perhaps you are in the midst of singing
praises to the Lord and you discover that your mind isn't focused on the words
that your mouth is uttering? Or maybe it's during the service that your mind is
suddenly bombarded by the myriads of things on your to-do list or the things you
accomplished during the week. Meanwhile, you aren't hearing a word your pastor
is saying!
This is a continual problem for me, and I often have to remind myself that I go
to church to worship God and experience Him corporately, not to pursue in my
mind the things I have laid to rest in order to be able to enjoy God on a
personal level!
This text hits home: "These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts
are far from me." (Matt 15:8 NIV) Aren't we often times filled with heartless
lips? Our lips are singing to the glory of God, but our heart is far from what
we are actually saying? Are we really giving God the glory or are we cherishing
another illicit lover who prevents us from enjoying God's company?
Imagine a boyfriend (or a girlfriend) who tells you: "Whenever I am with you, I
can't stop myself from thinking about this other cute guy (or attractive girl).
For some reason I cannot concentrate on what you are telling me." Would you
continue dating that person?
This kind of double-mindedness can get worse! Imagine it invading the core of
our relationship with God. What would happen then? James is quite clear about
this: "When he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is
like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think
he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in
all he does." (James 1:6-8 NIV )
Ouch! That sure hurts! Is it possible that our double-mindedness keeps us from
experiencing God fully in our lives? Is it possible that our prayers are not
answered because we are too busy thinking about something other than God's
promises? Has doubt crept up in our souls because we let our hectic
circumstances dictate our life? Has stress overrun our faith?
Interestingly enough, many do cherish their daily to-do lists, and many favour
their myriads of activities. Sadly, many also don't experience God the way they
could, many in fact are estranged with the lover of their soul.
"'Will you go out with me? Are you willing to listen attentively to how much I
Iove you and how I constantly think about you? Will you return the favour and
start experiencing me fully?' Asks the Lord."
"Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth - for your love is more delightful
than wine. Pleasing is the fragrance of your perfumes; your name is like perfume
poured out." (Song 1:2-3 NIV)
"Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens
the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me." (Rev 3:20 )(NIV
Will we accept His invitation?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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