Devotion Dissipation
Soul Snack 77/12 ... Devotion Dissipation
There is a common Christian tale of a frog in warm water. The story so goes that a frog can be placed in a pot on a stove with the water gradually warming until the frog boils to death. Apparently the frog is so comfortable in his surroundings and so un-alert to its dangers that it remains and dies in deadly comfort. I do not know if this anecdote is apocryphal as I have never had the heart to conduct such an experiment - nevertheless its point is of immeasurable value. The frog had sacrificed its future for its present comfort.
As a frog is in warming water so too is a Christian heavily involved in their dutiful service frequently in the local congregation. The pastor pleads for more helpers, they respond. They read the newsletter, heeding the needs and they respond. There are grounds to upkeep, sunday-schools to be taught, church committees to sit on, banking to be done, phones to be answered, Bible studies to conduct and so the endless list extends.
Service of Jesus continues well after sitting with Jesus is lost. The service that once arose from devotion becomes the raised mask that hides the fading devotion and shrouds the thirsting soul - now even too busy to pray past a perfunctory sentence or two.
Too busy serving to sit... yet Jesus informs a wanton woman at a well, one exhausting midday that the true worship that God desires is simply in spirit and in truth.
Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (Jn 4:23)
It is easy for Christians to gain the approval of the pastor, the warmth of his responses, the salutations of the congregations and ALSO sacrifice the seat at their messiah's feet.
Unbalanced service snatches sitting at the feet of the Lord. Unbalanced service can sacrifice the good future for present duty, comfort and acclaim.
Today's Soul Snippet:
Jesus desires your heart before He desires your hands.