During the worship portion of the service I attended this week, there was one lined in one song that struck a chord. I felt connected to it and have thought about the repeatedly the last few days.
“…let my life be a blazing offering…”
We often hear the cliché “on fire for the Lord,” but this line was a nice twist that used “blaze” which creates a whole different word picture - and it resonated in my soul.
First of all, “let my life be an offering” is a wonderful goal in itself. But a “blazing offering” would have to be a lifetstyle in order for you to be successful.
Is offering myself to Christ a lifestyle that I live? Is it something people can’t help but see?
I have seen wildfires rage on hillsides in Southern California. You can’t miss them. They surround you, envelope you, shake you to your core. Is my life a “blazing offering?”
I do not tithe. I do not volunteer. I do not even attend church. I do not pray every night before I sleep. I do not listen to Christian radio. I watch “R” rated movies. I curse like a sailor. The list goes on and on (and on)…
But then I try to find just ONE thing about my life that might be pleasing to the Lord and I am instantly reminded that I set out many moons ago to be a Proverbs 31 wife to Chris.
“…for her worth is far above jewels…the heart of her husband trusts in her…she does him good and not evil…she clothes herself with strength and works hard…strength and dignity are her clothing, and she smiles at the future. She opens her mouth in wisdom and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. Her children rise up and bless her; her husband also praises her saying, “Many daughers have done nobly, but you excel them all.”
I have painstakingly worked to prove my worth to be far above any jewel. My greatest accomplishment as Chris’s wife has been to show him what unconditional love and commitment look and feel like. To be the best mother I know how to be for his children. I have not been perfect, but I have been consistent. And I can honestly say that Chris has noticed. He recognizes my value, my hard work and my intentions.
He doesn’t, however, see that Jesus is my power source.
And then I thought about my job and realized that my work ethic is a “blazing offering” to the Lord. And it has been every job since I worked at Red Devil Equipment Co.
Colossians 3:23 “What ever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.”
Any boss I have ever worked for would immediately attest to how thorough, efficient and dependable I am. It is my joy and my honor to do work that is so praiseworthy.
None of my bosses, however, could tell you that Jesus is my true boss.
And that brings me to the one point from the sermon I gained.
Romans 10:9 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
I’ve done some great mighty things for God, but people don’t know that I am doing it FOR God. I’ve been a wonderful living sacrifice, a testament to all the Lord can do in and through a human being. Now, I’ve just got to let the world know, I do it all because Jesus first loved me.
Thursday
Sunday
I Need That Cup
Today, I went to church. I don't go often. I don't even remember the last time I attended the same church twice.
I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, soul and strength. Church, however, I do not love. I don't do cordial or casual well. I don't do small-talk , I don't avoid pink elephants; and in my experience, church is a lot of those things. Church is often "formulas for freedom," "patterns for perfection." It is cliches, alliteration, and very uncomfortable. Churches have a jargon, and as soon as something has words that outsiders don't understand, it becomes mostly irrelevant.
But every November, it seems, I try. And today's attempt, honestly, was mostly for my kids (but that is another blog post).
All that negativity being said, today's experience was likable enough that I am at least willing to do it again.
During his sermon, the pastor had a vulnerability about him, and it made me feel like just maybe this church is "real."
Oh sure, they had all the pomp and circumstance of a typical "non-denominational, seeker-friendly, contemporary worship" church service. But since it was smaller than a mega-church, the hubaloo was diluted. The bulletin was not six pages, the need for money didn't include building renovations, and the list of available small groups didn't meet EVERYone "where they are."
During the "communion meditation" this morning, the gentleman providing the devotional gave a little piece that will probably motivate me to go back...
He got it from someone else, but he said, "In my youth, I thought I'd have sin beat by the time I was old. Now that I am old, I know sin actually gets stronger as I age.
"I need Jesus. I need that weekly cup of wine to remind me that through the blood of Christ, sin has been defeated."
We are called to be in fellowship with like-minded individuals, couples and families. We are called to worship in unison with a group. We are called to pray and serve and hold accountable and be accountable our brothers and sisters in Christ. I may finally be at a place where I am maybe willing to partake in that calling. Maybe.
Lord knows, I need that cup.
I love Jesus Christ with all my heart, soul and strength. Church, however, I do not love. I don't do cordial or casual well. I don't do small-talk , I don't avoid pink elephants; and in my experience, church is a lot of those things. Church is often "formulas for freedom," "patterns for perfection." It is cliches, alliteration, and very uncomfortable. Churches have a jargon, and as soon as something has words that outsiders don't understand, it becomes mostly irrelevant.
But every November, it seems, I try. And today's attempt, honestly, was mostly for my kids (but that is another blog post).
All that negativity being said, today's experience was likable enough that I am at least willing to do it again.
During his sermon, the pastor had a vulnerability about him, and it made me feel like just maybe this church is "real."
Oh sure, they had all the pomp and circumstance of a typical "non-denominational, seeker-friendly, contemporary worship" church service. But since it was smaller than a mega-church, the hubaloo was diluted. The bulletin was not six pages, the need for money didn't include building renovations, and the list of available small groups didn't meet EVERYone "where they are."
During the "communion meditation" this morning, the gentleman providing the devotional gave a little piece that will probably motivate me to go back...
He got it from someone else, but he said, "In my youth, I thought I'd have sin beat by the time I was old. Now that I am old, I know sin actually gets stronger as I age.
"I need Jesus. I need that weekly cup of wine to remind me that through the blood of Christ, sin has been defeated."
We are called to be in fellowship with like-minded individuals, couples and families. We are called to worship in unison with a group. We are called to pray and serve and hold accountable and be accountable our brothers and sisters in Christ. I may finally be at a place where I am maybe willing to partake in that calling. Maybe.
Lord knows, I need that cup.
posted from Bloggeroid
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