Listening to the Holy Spirit:
The invitation of the Father is far beyond the response of the world, the great gift of the eternal God, mocked as tale by sightless men. Great is the grief poured forth by Heaven, known from the beginning, but heavy in fulfillment. Most are lost to foolish trade. There is great joy for those who respond to the drawing, and bow with repentant heart for the rebuilding. These are the wise of great fortune, exchanging death for life, distance for embrace. These trade worldly much, but for much more than the world. Great is the Father’s pain for those who will not release the rubble, hence cannot grasp the treasure; the invite lost for empty reasons. Their eyes are by choice shut, not for the greatness of the light presented, but for the love of their own darkness. Their hearts hard to truth, with a mocking tongue they shield, and in haste they answer to deflect that they again can return to the cold comfort of the shadowed place. Rejoice that you have shed the excuse and received.
Luke 14:18-20 (ESV) – But they all alike began to make excuses. The first said to him, ‘I have bought a field, and I must go out and see it. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to examine them. Please have me excused.’ And another said, ‘I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come.’
Eph 2:8 (ESV) – For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
1Cor 6:9-11 (ESV) – But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.
Taking It to Work:
As a believer in the workplace, we mingle daily with many who have heard the Good News, but for a myriad of reasons, have rejected God’s invitation (thus far). Why do they reject the offer to be reconciled to God? For many, they have no idea what that means, or why they should. They may fear ridicule, loss of freedoms, or their pride won’t let them see they are in need. Too add to the difficulty, because we live in a culture of comfort and security, they are too satisfied with what they already have to consider the unbelievable gift God is offering. So, what happens then? You hear excuses…of why they can’t make church, why they are too busy, why they think religion is not necessary for them. Lots of excuses.
It is sad for them, for us, and even sadder for our loving Father.
C.S. Lewis described it like this: “We are half-hearted creatures, fooling about with drink and sex and ambition when infinite joy is offered us, like an ignorant child who wants to go on making mud pies in a slum, because he cannot imagine what is meant by the offer of a holiday at the sea. We are far too easily pleased.”
Do you know anyone at your work that is so preoccupied with ambition and the pursuit of their career that they don’t have time for God? I think we all do.
Although, remember, even for Christians, even for Christians that read workplace devotionals :), we can go off balance here too. Praise God that we have at least heard and accepted His invitation. Pray now that the seeking after God always stays ahead of seeking the next raise, promotion or position. as His Word works in you, today.
