JUNE 1, 2022

 “Find a purpose to serve, not a lifestyle to live.” 

― Criss Jami

2 CHRONICLES 4-6

36“When they sin against you—for there is no one who does not sin—and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; 37and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, ‘We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly’; 38and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray toward the land you gave their ancestors, toward the city you have chosen and toward the temple I have built for your Name; 39then from heaven, your dwelling place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you.(6:36-39)

JOHN 12:20-50

42Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; 43for they loved human praise more than praise from God.

JOURNAL 

Oh man..."for they loved human praise more than praise from God". How I have fallen into that trap. It's subtle but it happens every day. It's part of our DNA, which is why it's so easy, we want and in many ways need to be accepted. It goes all the way back to our need to survive. If we go back to tribal days...getting kicked out of a community ensured a quick death. Our mind and body don't easily rewire or forget this and therefore our emotions center around preserving and ensuring our survival. 

God still though calls us to a higher calling. To follow him may mean rejection...he actually warns us of this reality. For many people throughout history, rejection meant death, it did for Jesus, his disciples and thousands of early Christians. There are reports in other countries of it happening still today. Yet the reality is that for me here in this country, I will not face rejection that leads to death. Most likely, following God will prove to give me unparalleled success. Yet that also can be a distraction.

I must follow not because of what I get, but simply for who God is. I must find joy in the following rather than the perceived outcome. This is hard and this does take a rewiring of my brain, but it's God's calling and in the end I believe it's worth it. 

22Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. 23Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, 24since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

COLOSSIANS 3:22-24