This morning we will finish with the rat race and where we have been. I love where I am today and I bet you do to. Next week we have a celebration to look forward to. Come on back and check it out......
ARE YOU A MEMBER OF THE RAT RACE?
Imagine a ship leaving San Francisco and setting sail for Hawaii. The Captain sets
the wheel towards his destination by using his compass. For a while all is smooth sailing! Even the ship rats are comfortable settling in and securing all their haunts. A strong wind comes up from the south causing the ship to veer as going into a new tack. In other words, it changes the ship’s course to suit the wind! The Captain immediately resets his course and is back on track! A strong ocean current begins to cause the ship to veer off course once more. This time the current is so strong, it is all the Captain can do to get it back on course. Finally, he has the ship headed towards Hawaii once again. No matter how many times the ship veers off course it is still headed towards it’s final destination, Hawaii!
This is what happens within the church from time to time when it appears we are off course as we go through cultural changes and wanting to appease those who are called seekers. We grumbled because the young people want change and the older, established Christian wants to leave everything as it was. To some it seems we are off course! Actually we never veer off course because the destination is the same! We are all seeking the promises of God which lead to our heavenly home. We may find new and different ways to bring in the lost but as long as we are still within the boundary of God’s will, we are still good to go!
The Captain may have to take the wheel from time to time but then so the Church needs to let Christ take the wheel all the time. We should not be tickling the ears to bring in the rat pack. We need to be about the Lord’s business, reaching the lost within our culture. As long as changes and restructuring is made according to the Lord’s will, it will bring Glory to His name. Then who are we to complain when the compass is set towards heaven? Who are we to think that our way is best? Shouldn’t it be; "seek ye first the kingdom of God and all these things shall be added unto you"?
In Philippians 3:17 Paul asks us to; "Follow my example and walk according to the scriptures"! Is Paul gentle? No! In verses 12-14 Paul talks about pressing on in order that he may lay hold of what lies ahead. To do that He was to forget what was in his past. Could you consider a life without Christ! Can you consider pressing on toward the prize of the upward call of God in "Christ Jesus"? Let’s stay on the road to heaven! Jane Ann