During those dog days of football it seemed that every player from time to time got tired. So tired that the inner desire was to take off a play or maybe even a few plays during the game. However, the team was always reminded of the camera that sat on top off the press box overlooking and capturing every moment of every play of every game. There was no hiding from what every coach, teammate, and player would see during the following week's practices.
In life, in school, we all get tired. We all get warn out and need to take a breather. We recall in Scripture Colossians 3:23-24, "And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritence; for you serve the Lord Christ."
Looking at this verse we are reminded to do our best. Satan whispers in our ear "take a play off, nobody is watching, it doesn't matter anyway." It is crucial to remember that the goal in life not to make a 100% on everything we do but to give our best. To try hard. To not be a sluggard or lazy man as the Proverbs talk about (Prov.26). It's OK to get tired, it happens and it happens to all of us, but we must always give our all because we are giving to the Lord Himself.
One day, we will stand before God and the video tape of our life will be played, will you be pleased by what He sees on film? Will He? My prayer on that day is we will hear "well done, my good and faithful servant."
Last night I read a really good book titled, "What is the Gospel" by Greg Gilbert and one of the chapters made me snicker about poeple's perception of God although it was very insightful to the way most folks view Him. I want to share with you just a clip of the view.
"Let me introduce you to god. (Note the lowercase g.)
You may want to lower your voice a little before we go in. He might be sleeping now. He's old, you know, and doesn't much understand or like this "newfangled" modern world. His golden days-the ones he talks about when you really get him going-were a long time ago, before most of us were even born. That was back when people cared what he thought about things, and considered him pretty important to their lives.
Of course all that's changed now, though, and god-poor fellow-just never adjusted well. Life's moved on and passed him by. Now, he spends most of his time just hanging in the garden out back. I go there sometimes to see him, and there we tarry, walking and talking softly and tenderly among the roses...
Anyway, alot of people still like him, it seems-or at least he manages to keep his poll numbers pretty high. And you'd be surprised how many people even drop by to visit and ask for things every once in a while. But of course that's alright with him. He's there to help.
Thank goodness, all that crankiness you read about sometimes in his old books-you know, having the earth swallow people up, raining fire down on cities, that sort of thing- all that seems to have faded in his old age. Now he's just a goodnatured, low-maintenance friend who is really easy to talk to - especially since he almost never talks back, and when he does, it's usually to tell me through some slightly wierd "sign" that what I want to do regardless is alright by him. That really is the best kind of friend, isn't it?
You know the best thing about him, though? He doesn't judge me. Ever, for anything. Oh sure, I know that deep down he wishes I'd be better-more loving, less selfish, and all that-but he's realistic. He knows I'm human and nobody's perfect. And I'm totally sure he's fine with that. Besides, forgiving people is his job. It's what he does. After all, he's love right? And I like to think of love as "never judging, only forgiving." that's the god I know. And I wouldn't have him any other way.
Alright, hold on a second...Okay, we can go in now. And don't worry, we don't have to stay long. Really. He's grateful for any time he can get."
Is this your god? If your heart answers "yes, this is my god" then you better open your Bible and fall before the True God of Scripture.
