“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us…” (Hebrews 12:1b KJV)
Mary Ellen was the film and tape editor at a local TV Station. Her primary role, an important one to say the least, was to edit all the films and video tapes that were shown on air. Mary Ellen was responsible for cutting out things that were not suitable for what we call a PG audience today. She also had to ensure there was nothing wrong with the quality of the films and tapes. Another one of Mary Ellen’s roles in her 40 plus hour, full-time job that had to be done efficiently, was to make sure there was continuity in the film even after cutting it down to a specified time period to allow for commercials to be aired. Mary Ellen was an excellent editor.
Today is Sunday and your assignment is to replace Mary Ellen. While you cannot edit out every word you hear preached or taught this morning, you ought to use your Bible training to edit out things that don’t line up with the gospel truth. You need to be discerning, making sure that you only let the word of God, that which transforms you and prepares you to air the fact that Christ lives in you be what is viewed when you show yourself to others, when you are broadcasting your faith today and the rest of the week. And as you do your editing work, make sure that the quality of what will be seen by others in you does not include things that are wrong or censured by your Home Office in glory. Make sure there is continuity between that which you declare with your mouth and what you display in your actions. Since there is a time for everything, the timely presentation of your godliness must fit the allowed time, which is, well, all the time. Church service has a general or expected and limited time frame in many cases, but being the church is unlimited. Keep that in mind, but back to allowing time. As you edit, you will need to make sure you allow some time so that your “commercials” will be heard coming across the signals that are being sent out from your station on earth; commercials that consist of praise, thanksgiving, blessings, and honor for the Lord our God. Like I said, today is Sunday, and you have your assignment. Do it well! Do it so well, that Mary Ellen would be proud of you! Do it so well, that both the Father and the Son will beam with bright expressions that can be translated to these words, “With him/her, I am well pleased.” Enjoy your worship experience today! Don’t let your editing assignment keep you from being edified, educated, and energized with love, peace, hope, and joy! Be blessed!
“Check out everything, and keep only what’s good. Throw out anything tainted with evil.” (I Thessalonians 5:21-22 MSG)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King