Just a quick glance

My semester break is coming up and as I am looking forward to having some time “off” I remembered that I have this blog. Once again my desire to add to this blog is increased, not because I need my opinions “out there” but because my children read this blog when something new comes up, and I want them to have something challenging to read. At any rate – let me mention something that is on my heart at this moment.

I recently learned that an acquaintance of mine was sanctioned by his church for adultery- I don’t know the details, but, knowing this church, it had to be pretty obvious for them to do something. This man was in a position of responsibility in the Church, and so his case is more public than some. Sadly, my first thought when hearing of his sanctioning was- “I knew this would happen!” In my sinfulness I congratulated myself at recognizing his weakness and identifying the likelihood that he would be caught up in this sin.

Thankfully I am growing enough in the Lord that He was able to chide me promptly for my sinful attitude of judging someone as less spiritual than I when I can so easily fail myself. The truth is that this man, let’s call him Joe, did have a shallow presentation of his faith. Joe preached a sermon when I was last in his church on how to be a happy Christian. His premise was that happy Christians are strong Christians, and I took exception to his premise. I find in Scripture that a focus on God’s work does bring a sense of peace and happiness, but even Jesus found Himself in inner conflict as He prayed “Not my will, but thine…” When my happiness is my goal I will find that my actions will eventually be against God’s plan. I suspect that Joe’s sermon was a symptom of his personal decision to seek his will above God’s, and that this mindset left him open to adultery. I don’t know this for sure, but I have known Joe for some time, and this belief fits with his behavior for the last twenty years.

Now, what does this mean for me? I was once again reminded that I am easily swayed from Paul’s admonition to keep my mind set on God’s ways rather than being distracted by the wasteful pleasures around me. Col 3:1-5 (ESV) “If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.”

I can easily judge someone for their failure to keep their focus aloft (looking up to God), but by doing so I can lose my focus. An idea that I find helpful is to remember how I use my eyes when I drive with my family. If I spend too much time looking at any car beside me or at anything in the car with me the results can be disastrous. I want to know what the drivers in the cars around me are doing. If they are looking around to change lanes I want to get out of their way if I can. If they are texting, reading the paper, or arguing with their passengers I want to keep a safe distance between us.

The same idea applies to my Christian walk. I need to glance around me at what others are doing, but I want to keep my mind on Christ's path for me. I need to notice Joe's weakness and pray for him. I need to avoid some of the mistakes that led to his failure so that I don't follow, but I don't want to get too involved as a spectator or the results may lead to my own crash. If I am part of the solution for Joe, then his path may be part of my path, but if I am not involved, as Dad often says, I need to get on with my work.