Author's Note: Much is influencing us these days; our culture, our government, friends, family, but, what about the influence of God on our lives? Shouldn't He be influencing everything? Even the most mundane activities should be under His influence. So, my question for you is R U Influenced? Please consider my thoughts on His influence for this month...
Anytime is a good time for a reality check.
I had one once...As you may know, I am a pastor and a former parishioner had excitedly asked me to meet with her
and an out-of-town friend. She
promised that this friend was someone with whom I would certainly “hit-it-off.” Though I was extremely busy that week,
I set aside a good amount of time to meet with the two of them. Thinking that she just wanted her guest to just meet “her
pastor,” I was particularly cordial and welcoming, asking about the guest’s
background and so forth. About
thirty minutes later, the bomb was dropped. He said, “The real reason we are meeting is to tell
you about a business…” You guessed
it. It was one of those
multi-level pyramid schemes. I had
been “baited and switched” by one of my trusted congregation members. For a moment, it angered me until the
Holy Spirit gently reminded me that He often feels similarly. We humans are particularly skillful at
“baiting and switching” God. We
act all sincere. Pretending like
we just “want to get close” when all we want is something from the "big-shopping-mall in the sky." Are
you trying to “bait-and-switch” God?
Perhaps, its time for a reality check…are you just baiting God?
Feel free to comment in the below or forward to a friend.
Wade.
Guilty! I know I have publicly acted one way only to be prideful or selfish in person. Thank you Wade for a powerful message. Your honesty and transparency is refreshing for those who think Christians need to be perfect.
David
Posted by: David.Allen@allengroupe.com | May 01, 2009 at 02:31 PM