Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Tumbleweed Religion


As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, O God.
                                  Psalm 42:1 NIV

 

     Watching the television news broadcasts last night made my mind spin, my heart hurt and honestly just made me crazy. As I listened to the unfolding stories of fallen man I thanked God for His grace.

     A story about a pastor tried by leaders of his own denomination for performing a same-sex marriage for his son caught my attention. Being found guilty and sentenced to thirty days of probation, the report said he was unrepentant and would possibly do it again as three of his four children are gay and he believes God has called him to stand for the rights of homosexuals.

     Then there was the story about the “church” (and I use that term very loosely) in South Carolina that invites you to bring a beer and your Bible as you study the Word together. I don’t mind telling you that this one sent me over the edge. So I looked up their church and found it is based upon the teachings of a man named Matthew Fox mixed with the Bible.

     Finally the weatherman showed a photo and explained the process of tumbleweeds. The light bulb clicked on at 300 watts! As tumbleweeds blow across the land going wherever the wind takes them, they spread their seeds along the path. Those thousands of seeds germinate and become more tumbleweeds blown by the wind from place to place.

     I believe that each of us is born with a “God hole” in our heart. The only thing that will fill that hole is God. Individuals look for, even long for something to fill that hole and go searching. Often their heart hole is filled with drugs, alcohol, promiscuity, creating wealth or even doing good deeds. Sometimes, however, it is filled with a mixture of Biblical truth and man’s desire to be his own God like the slogan that says you can have it your way!

     Thus seeking carries them from place to place and from search to search like a tumbleweed blown by the wind. In the meantime, God’s grace is in place and available. He lovingly waits for those with erroneous theology or no theology or belief in God. He lovingly waits for the child raised by Christian parents who refuses to believe. He lovingly waits for those who have not yet heard that He loves them. He lovingly waits for those who claim to be doing His work yet disobey God’s own principles. He lovingly waits for His children to love and give grace to the hurting of this world. He loves. He waits. His grace still flows in a fountain of mercy.

     I believe that God is looking for men and women who will long for Him as a deer longs for streams of water. Remember that Jesus did not come into this world to condemn the world but to save the world. (John 3:17) But how will they know unless we share the love of Christ?

     Heavenly Father, today I ask that you put me and my brothers and sisters in Christ in the path of the human tumbleweeds of life who are longing, searching and seeking to fill that God hole in their hearts. Enable us to love them and point them to your grace. Give us the resources to help them with physical needs as our Christ-like love draws them directly to you. May God be glorified in the name of sweet Jesus. Amen

©JPowell 2013

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