Hospitality is never the same. In
one place you are welcomed with open arms, in another you are completely
ignored.
This happened to us while visiting the beautiful
country of New Zealand.
Our first night at Dunedin was fabulous. Despite the
fact that she had other urgent obligations, our hostess was waiting for her
guests with a smile. She literally welcomed us with open arms, taking the time
to getting to know us over a cup of hot herbal tea and exquisite cookies. I
wished I had asked her for her recipe!
When asked why she hadn't just left us a note and gone
about her urgent business, she said this wasn't her style. She preferred to
welcome her guests personally so that they were sure to feel at home.
Wow! Southern hospitality (If
we had been any farther south we would have been in Antarctica!)
at its best!
Or at least that is what we thought until we reached
our next destination, where the Bed and Breakfast was completely dark when we
arrived, with only a note to greet us. We never saw our hosts, except in the
morning, when we were loading our car. And then, it was only because another
note was brought to our attention: The bill!
To tell you the truth, although the rooms were more
than adequate, we didn't feel welcome.
In the hosting business, if you want repeat business,
there can be no shortcuts. The same is true if we are followers of Christ. We
can't ignore the needs of others because we are too busy with our own. And the
same is true with temptation! Shortcuts will not do!
The third time the evil one approached Jesus with his
tempting offers he aimed at Jesus' needs: "You don't have to head down this road
of suffering buddy! There are shortcuts. I will help you out of this. Just
worship me!" Finally he was revealing his true intentions. He wasn't there to
help Jesus. His shortcut was to satisfy his OWN ego! And it all came down to
worship.
"'All this I will give you,' he said, 'if you will bow
down and worship me.'" (Matt 4:9 NIV)
Stupid, right? Who would fall for that???
But let's be careful. How many of us wouldn't give
away our hearts for the promise of life? "I will make you rich!" "I will give
you good health!" "I will lead you to the love of your life." "I will give you a
fulfilling job!" "I will get you out of debt!..." And the list could go on.
These shortcuts are far from being fulfilling, and
they certainly do not lead to real life! If you don't believe me, read the
tabloids from the "stars" on this planet. Drugs, sex, infidelity, addictions,
sleeplessness and even money concerns dominate the lives of most of them!
Yes, this shortcut to idolatry is far from fulfilling.
So why do we even contemplate it? Instead, let's follow Jesus' example: "Jesus
said to him, 'Away from me, Satan! For it is written: "Worship the Lord your
God, and serve him only."'" (Matt 4:10 NIV) Jesus is clear: "There are no
shortcuts! My heart belongs solely to God only!"
Only when we realize the true nature of the evil one,
and only when we resist him with all of our heart and our soul, will he leave us
alone. At least temporarily, for he sure hopes that forgetfulness will soon
overtake us!
"Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended
him." (Matt 4:11 NIV)
May we constantly remind ourselves that shortcuts in
the spiritual realm are always deadly. There is only One who really cares for
us, and it sure is not the evil one!
"Don't look for shortcuts to God. The market is
flooded with surefire, easygoing formulas for a successful life that can be
practiced in your spare time. Don't fall for that stuff, even though crowds of
people do. The way to life - to God! - is vigorous and requires total
attention." (Matt 7:13-14 The Message)
Excuse me, is there a shortcut to Queenstown or are
these mountains really in the way?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
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