Monday, April 25, 2011
VOW TO FOLLOW THE LORD -- AND NOT SELF.
Easter and Christmas are easy Sundays to find oneself at church. They are promoted heavily, families are often in full attendance, not to mention the pleasantly familiar music. But what happens after these dates have come and gone as they do so quickly? Even if I regularly attend church each week, what's my mind-set after such an important day? My attitude is seen by all around me, regardless of the day.
Jonah 1:14-16 Therefore they cried out to the LORD and said, "We pray, O LORD, please do not let us perish for this man's life, and do not charge us with innocent blood; for You, O LORD, have done as it pleased You." So they picked up Jonah and threw him into the sea, and the sea ceased from its raging. Then the men feared the LORD exceedingly, and offered a sacrifice to the LORD and took vows.
Jonah was one to pick and choose from the LORD's directions. The LORD had commanded him to go and preach against the wickedness of the people of Nineveh. Instead, he boarded a ship and went the opposite direction. The application to my own life requires no stretch at all. How many times a day can I find myself going the opposite direction the LORD has told me in His Word. How often do I disobey His command? How many failed opportunities to open my mouth to tell about Jesus' life, death, resurrection, and everything else that He does for me? Did my parents raise me like this? Did I speak my confirmation vows to simply turn from my Savior by my behavior?
What is my attitude following the celebration of Christ's resurrection? It is one that I pray my LORD will help me to keep in check! The men traveling with Jonah didn't seem to know who the true God was, but even through Jonah's disobedience the LORD revealed Himself to them and brought them to faith. Still today the LORD uses every opportunity to bring sinners to repentance, the precious Gospel of forgiveness and eternal life in Christ Jesus our Savior. Therefore, I pray that Jesus may use me each day for His kingdom in a very powerful way also, but Lord willing, always in a way where others don't have to learn from my mistakes and disobedience.
