God has been revolutionizing my view of what it means to be a follower of Jesus and to have a relationship with Him. I’m so glad. A few years ago I thought I had it all figured out, knew all the right doctrine, could explain practically the entire bible, was saved, baptized by immersion after a salvation experience, attended church almost always, went to revivals, listened to Christian music, read Christian books, including the Left Behind series, experienced the moments where I knew I was filled with the Holy Spirit, and even with all of that I still was an angry, bitter, rebellious young man.
Given all of that, you can imagine why I was so scared. Confused. Frustrated. …. And…. Doubting.
One of the things that I am waking up to more and more is how much God cares about relationship and unity and how much he hates my self-promotion and selfishness.
People wonder why families fail. Particularly why “Christian” families fail. As we discussed in the last post, it is so much better to have a dry morsel (not even a morsel, but a dry one) with peace and quietness, than it is to have a house full of stuff but have strife and fighting. Proverbs 17:1. Similarly, in Proverbs 15 we learn that “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil. Better a meal of vegetables where there is love than a [huge feast] with hatred. A hot-tempered man (OR DAD) stirs up dissension, but a patient man (Dad) calms a quarrel.”
On any given Saturday in my house the odds are you will find me watching football. Now, what happens if my kids get loud while playing and it “bothers” me or “distracts” me from the game?? Do I care more about peace in my family or do I care more about my personal peaceful enjoyment of the football game?
After I get through dipping them in my salsa and biting their heads off, sacrificing peace so that I can hear the play by play, is it any wonder that they lose respect for me? Is it any wonder that they question their value to me? Is it any wonder my wife hates football?
Now, please, I am writing this with Monday Night Football on the TV across the room. Please do not think I am saying anyone should stop watching football to be a good Christian. In the words Paul used to talk about those who claimed he taught that you should keep on sinning to increase grace, “GOD FORBID!” What I am saying is that if you find yourself unable to control your anger, if you find yourself destroying relationship and peace, if you find yourself devaluing people, all for something like a football game (or any other personal pursuit), ask God about it. See what He says.
And then you better obey Him.