Have you ever had a fever so bad even the coldest levels A/C can’t seem to taper? That was me, on this particular morning.
In the car, I was burning a hole through the seat. I was SO hot. Burning hot.
My husband turned the air. I turned it back on. He turned it off. I turned it on. I couldn’t cool.
We speeding down the highway. Why? Because we were headed to church. Have I told you all before, I don’t like to miss church? Come Sunday, I’ll be there. Come thinking of worshipping God, I can’t miss it. Come time to check the kids in, so I can have “my time” with my King, ain’t no one messing with that!
“Should we really go?” My husband said as we headed down the highway.
“Of course we should,” I answered.
But, should we? I don’t want to get anyone else sick. And, the kids are sniffling in the back.
When religious stuff turns into duty, more than a blessing, there’s wisdom in questioning it.
Jesus didn’t die so we ‘have to’ prove our self to Him. He already proved everything on the cross. With this, we are wise to question our motives.
If keeping your quiet time with Jesus is stressful because “you have to do it” or because “you haven’t done it in weeks” — you are wise to question it. If you are bringing dinner over to that woman’s house because you know everyone else is doing it and because you feel it is the “good-Christian thing to do” — you are wise to question it. If you are saying yes to everyone because you feel bad if you say no — you are wise to question it.
God doesn’t desire manufactured, look-good-on-the-surface religion as much as he desires our heart.
“So practice and obey whatever they (religious leaders) tell you, but don’t follow their example. For they don’t practice what they teach. They crush people with unbearable religious demands and never lift a finger to ease the burden.
“Everything they do is for show. On their arms they wear extra wide prayer boxes with Scripture verses inside, and they wear robes with extra long tassels. (Mt. 23:3-5)
Where do you feel obligated to ‘put on a show’ for God or man?
If you can’t do it with an authentic heart for Jesus, don’t bother doing it (I say this directly to my heart right now too). And, if you feel you ‘have to’ do it a certain way, try it a new way today. Rather than demanding you spend an hour with Jesus, just meet Him in the little places (as you drive, doing dishes, folding laundry, etc.). If you normally take pride in bringing that woman dinner, because everyone else is — just give her a ring to talk. Do it differently. Shake things up. Go the opposite way of obligation, duty, and appearances.
I told my husband to re-route our course. Instead of going to church, we spent time together as a family and talked about Jesus. I actually felt we had some tremendously important conversations for our family. It wouldn’t have happened if we didn’t change our pattern a bit if we weren’t flexible.
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Family time for the win!
Had this conversation over the weekend. Jesus cares about our hearts, our motives; why we do what we do.
The pressure we put on ourselves to serve and glorify God can sometimes lead to overwhelm and even obligation as you mention. We do better to remind ourselves that God accepts as we are and is more concerned about our relationship with Him than anything. When that relationship is right, we will serve and worship Him with gladness. This deepening of our heart matures us.
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Good morning, Kelly.
It’s true He is far more concerned with the condition of our heart than outward appearances. Isn’t it a relief knowing we don’t have to work our way to heaven–even if we could?
I hope you’re feeling better!
Peace and grace,
Tammy
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It’s always good to remember we don’t have to prove anything to Jesus — He already did it all!
This is a good word. I’ll be thinking about it some more today. laurensparks.net
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We can get so caught up in the outworking of our faith that we forget the heart sometimes. Thanks for the reminder to keep things in perspective.
This is so true: “When religious stuff turns into duty, more than a blessing, there’s wisdom in questioning it.” I’ve had to do that a time or two lately. I don’t like missing Sundays either, but now and again, God keeps me at home for his sake. I hope you recovered quickly from your fever!
Thank you for the message. Yes, it’s all about the heart, in what we do for God and others. I hope you feel better quickly!
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Amen to this “If you can’t do it with an authentic heart for Jesus, don’t bother doing it”
How we long for real authenticity among believers. I know that when we start to question why we do things may not like the answers. If we hold in faith, however, He will teach us a better way, a way of intimacy with Him that we cannot get by just ‘going through the motions.’ Kudos to you for getting off the treadmill to spend time with family. That’s a great start.
Homer Les
http://www.homerlesandwandaring.com