Wednesday; November 7
The other day I went to my local Big
Box Electronics store intent on getting a new gadget. Folks, I have to admit that I really like new
gadgets. I don’t always get the most
expensive of shiniest thing they have but, I can be lured to new stuff. As I was assessing what I wanted with what it
was going to cost me, I began to realize that what I wanted was what I already
had – I just wasn’t using it to its fullest capacity. I could use the gadget that was already paid
for in an expanded way and I would achieve the results I sought (and could save
my money for the next cool new thing that was sure to come along).
The reason for this confession is that
sometimes we don’t fully appreciate what we already have – especially when it
comes to our religion. In an effort to
become “more relevant” or “more progressive” we are tempted to look for
something new when what we really need is to just use what we already have to
its fullest. Rather than seeking a
program to reach more people would it be more advantageous to recommit to a
love of other people? Rather than trying
to redefine a “new truth” would it be more beneficial to come to a great
appreciation of Jesus as “the Way, the Truth and the Life”? Rather than seeking a new understating of the
Bible, what would happen if we restored the original intent of God’s pure and
perfect Word?
When the Israelites wandered away from
God the Old Testament comments, “Thus says the Lord, ‘Stand by the ways and see and ask for
the ancient paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; and you
will find rest for your souls.’ But they
said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”
(Jeremiah 6:16). No, old ways steeped in mere tradition aren’t
always applicable to new generations, but genuinely applying the age old truths
of Scripture will restore truth and relevance.
Think About It!