II Kings 18-19 / II Chronicles 32 / James 5
Oh My Goodness!!! The bible makes you angry, your are a sinner. Uhhh yeah, I am. So are you and so is everyone else in the world. I know that we all like to think that we are doing o.k. but just because we didn’t stab that dude in the face when we felt like it, that does not necessarily mean that we are o.k. Things creep in, and get lodged, and somehow grow very slowly until one day they explode. Little sin here, little sin there, usually leads to lots of sin here and there.
Why does the bible make me angry? It’s right. It knows me, and God speaks to me through the words, but sometimes, I just flat don’t want to hear it. Today, I don’t want to hear James 5:5 “You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourself for slaughter.” Punch, POW, kick, right in the old get.
Much of my life is dedicated to the pursuit of stuff. I am currently trying to figure out ways to pay for the following, “Gibson Hummingbird guitar, MINI Cooper, new Golf Clubs, gold club membership, and phones for the house.” All told, that stuff could run me like 35 grand.
I find that I do not pursue anything harder than the things that I want. Why can’t that be you God? Why don’t I want to pursue you with the tenacity that I use to get “stuff”? Why are you not the one that I am chasing after? God, break my heart, but do it gently.
I just want to be where you are, dwelling daily in your presence. I don’t want to worship from afar, draw me near to where you are. (someone else wrote that)
But God, help me to leave the things that I chase, and chase you.
4 comments
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July 22, 2008 at 7:21 pm
Gabe
Amen, waYne! It’s too easy for us to strive for those things that we think will improve our life. However, if we REALLY want to improve daily, it won’t cost us money. Just the time invested in studying how we can have a closer relationship with God.
July 22, 2008 at 7:23 pm
Aaron
Sometimes, a “gentle” heartbreak won’t do it. Maybe you need yours crushed… so that God will have to do a “transplant.”
July 22, 2008 at 9:48 pm
Canaan Hackler
Sometimes I’ll have a situation I need God to help with. So I ask and he always gives me a verse. And I hate that. I’ve been broken. hard sometimes. But todays oak is just yesterdays nut who held its ground! Tag you’re it. http://outofthisworldplace.wordpress.com
July 23, 2008 at 3:28 pm
mibman
“stuff” sucks — you have to make so many sacrifices for it … you have to keep up w/ it … maintain it … loan it … renew it … replace it. The return on value for invenstment in “stuff” cannot be easily calculated; & simply, isn’t worth the cost most of the time. (paid for by the campaign for a “Stuff-Free-Living”) – td