“Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.” (2 Timothy 2:22 NLT)
Years ago during the holiday season, my father brought out the model electric train that was powered by a small generator. He had affixed the track to a large piece of plywood that took up two-thirds of the living room; a lot of space. Every year he could he would add another feature to the train. The entertainment that the train provided was comparable in value to the entertainment and enjoyment today’s children…and many adults get from modern day video games. There seemed to be an unwritten rule regarding this train; a guideline; an unpublished schedule for setting it up and of course, taking it down. As I recall, it was put away and stored in the attic very at a time that coincided with taking down holiday decorations. The reason or rationale for taking it down was simple. It was taking up space. No one disputed the annual practice regarding the regulated period for the train set to be stored away. There were no protests. Everyone understood that the space was needed for other things. For example, some of us could resume our practice of sitting or sprawling out on the rug covered floor to watch television shows on the only TV in the house. This was a time when the living room really was used for living, rather than just a living display of one’s decorating propensity. And the answer is “No”, if you were perchance wondering if we had plastic coverings that functioned as a sauna that cause our legs to sweat and our clothes hard to pry from where we were sitting. But again, that’s a whole different story. Let’s get to the point.
Every holiday season we bring out “things” that have been stored away for most of the year. When I say things, I am not talking about objects or decorations of any sort, but other physical and behavioral things. Let me be clearer and fair. Some of those “things” we bring out are good; such as love, kindness, good cheers, caring for others, gift giving with no expectation for a gift in return, and most of all the highlight -a focus on the Christ and God’s generosity. However, there are some other “things” need to be put away in our figurative attics. Probably they should have never been taken out. Things such as misplacing our priorities, laying aside our precepts rooted in scriptural principles, material greed, adjusting our time schedules to accommodate our desire for fun and laughter, and acting like we don’t know what Proverbs 20: 1 says: “Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is intoxicated by it is not wise.” The latter list of “things” are just taking up space; space where we need to tune in to God’s word and prostrate ourselves on the floor, fall on bended knees, bow our heads, or dust off the door knob to our dedicated prayer closets and pray to the Lord who hears and answers prayers. Be careful not to keep out the “things” that need to be put away too long. For if you delay, such “things” will become habits that will interfere with your attention to spiritual matters. Once again, let me remind you of what you learned in science classes when you were younger: Two things cannot occupy the same space at the same time.
It’s Sunday and I cannot take up much more of your time. You have to get ready for worship. So, before I close, let me admonish you to move out anything; any thoughts, any plans, any illicit behavior, and illegitimate relationships, or any other “things” that will take up space and keep you from your worship of the Lord in spirit and in truth today! Every day is the Lord’s, to be for sure, but this day, Sunday, is where we can experience His special presence in the sanctuary. We can hear a specific word, yes, sent by a specific messenger, for a specific purpose. And guess what? It is specifically for you! Be glad to be in the service one more time! I love you! Be blessed!
“Continue in prayer, and be watchful with thanksgiving.” (Colossians 4:2 MEV)
Still committed to the climb,
Mark L. King