“…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:b KJV)
Sunday morning, I was dressing for church, still giving God my best. As I was dressing, I thought on how I have not really given into the “anything goes philosophy” as being applicable for those who have matured and realize God deserves our best. And even though I accept folks that come as they are, in decent attire that might align with their generation, I still put on my suit and tie every Sunday. Well, as they say, “that is neither here nor there,” when it comes to today’s meditation. However it is a good side note to consider, the idea about giving God our best in any area of life.
As I was dressing, I was listening to an on-air, news anchor personality on a local TV station as she shared her reaction to the fast -approaching month of May where the cicadas, a superfamily of insects in the order Hemiptera (true bugs)will target in on Indiana, the state in which I live. They show up every 17 years, bringing with them a lot of buzzing, clicking noise and they may look frightening to some. The last time they showed up in mass was in 2004. I remember how annoying they were when I attended a high school State Track Championship event in Bloomington. I recall walking through the stadium where the meet was held with my head down as I made sure I did not step on any of the big-eyed insects. I walked as If I were crossing through a cow pasture in my Sunday shoes, alert with every step. The noise they made rivaled the sound of the crowds coming from the stands with excited and proud parents. Back to yesterday and away from yesteryear. The news anchor said something to the effect, “If they have been gone that long, don’t come back!” It was a hilarious comment, but may people share the same sentiment that she expressed.
That sentiment should be the way we feel and think about the sins of our past, the lustful thoughts of the years gone by, and whatever addiction we once had to recover from, ranging from substance abuse to sociological induced habits, and psychological stimulated non-Christian acts. Yes, that should be our sentiment when the seasonal weather heats up our desires and at times becomes so loud that it drowns out our holy covenants and commitments. If such things have been gone for hours, days, weeks, months, or years, our sentiment should mirror the words of the TV news anchor: “If they have been gone that long, don’t come back!”
Think about allow that exact same sentiment to alert us and influence us to act accordingly as children of God. Yes, we all, no one is excluded; we are all still, as my older brother would say, “under construction.” Let’s not let the progress we have made be overcoming whatever it is that we purposely let disappear, left dormant, and long defeated in our pasts. Let’s follow the advice of the Master below! Have a good start to your week! Be blessed!
“Go and sin no more.” (John 8:11b MEV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King