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| On Friday I had the wonderful joy of spending the day with my wife and two boys at "A Day with Thomas the Tank Engine", along with thousands of others of course! But in the experience I saw several things that remind me of not only me but others in the Christian walk. For the kids the excitement was unheralded as they got closer to the train yard and the number of signs and posters increased with the assurance that soon you would be near to Thomas, and with that the unbridled energy began to break forth in wiggles and screams to get them to Thomas. After we parked and passed through the gates, it was a surge of driven desire that somehow made even the smallest body seem to posses great strength. As the time progressed and we fluttered from tent to tent and interest to interest, I noticed that the greater goal was no longer to be where the initial excitement stemmed from, rather, it was the fun things along the way. Once removed from each area and the new explored, it was as though the previous never existed. Even the ride on the mighty Thomas was anticlimactic as there were so many distractions all around that seemed to promise so much more. Good fun was had. excess money was spent, toys are added to the multitude, and mommy and daddy survived, it was a good day. Grandma got an ear full of all the happenings and expressed great joy that they had a wonderful day and this made it all seem worth it. Now, as you read did you see the parallels to our Christian walk? When we first get saved, the excitement is pulsing through our veins and we want to so much to save the world. And for many who actually get involved and start into some form of ministry, i.e. Sunday school, ushering, clean-up, etc..... you begin to feel accomplished and desire more. But during the process you simply want more and not necessarily for the right reason. You bounce from ministry to ministry, or church to church seeking to fill what you have justified as a desire to get deeper in serving God, but for many is simply a distraction by the enemy to take away your focus. Oh the things you get into may not be bad, in fact they may be terrific and set up by God, but not for you to be part of in your state of heart. Never looking back to see what you have gained from each thing, you plow your way forward as though you may be missing something, until it is more about the way it makes you feel rather than what the purpose is. Sometimes pulling others along who are trying to help or keep you from harm, and throwing a fit if they intercede in your intentions. It's time to ease up and regroup. God knows what and where you want and where you need to be. Trust in Him to plan out your agenda and then learn to take in the sights, sounds, and experiences along the way so that you might share with others and perhaps bring them joy. Being driven is not always bad, but when it can lead you past the intended target, than let others help you get back on track and all will find the joy intended by our Father in heaven who delights in our joys. |
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