Stepping On Toes

Ok, I’ll acknowledge right up front that this post is likely to step on toes; but I think in a way that toes should be stepped on when people, and perhaps you, are standing in the wrong line. As Paul continues to discuss living the Christian life, he writes this in verse 11:  “not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord”.   Followers of Jesus should exhibit a diligence and fervor in serving the Lord. However, what I’ve noticed as a pastor is often a decreasing diligence and fervor in serving the Lord, while there is often an accompanying increase in fervency and diligence toward other pursuits such as sports or social media.  I’m certainly not against sports and social media.  I enjoy both.  However, ask yourself if, in your pursuit of the things of this world, do you lack fervor and diligence in serving the Lord?  Just this morning on Albert Mohler’s “The Briefing” [an excellent thirty minute morning podcast by the way] he mentioned a report where American church attendance continues to drop.  Honestly, I’m not all that concerned about Sunday morning church attendance but I’m pretty sure that a drop in Sunday morning church attendance simply mirrors a drop in diligence in serving.  I doubt there are too many who are now skipping Sunday morning worship but who have increased their diligence and fervor in serving the Lord.  Is there still time for serving in your local church and community in ways that distinctly bring glory and testimony to Jesus Christ?  I believe there is time for both but in my experience it does require a bit of dialing back on the things of this world…there are only so many hours in the day.  I’m very thankful for so many who have a fervency for serving the Lord and who are diligent.  Let’s remember that this is the “expected” norm for the Jesus follower. For those reading this who might feel a slight pressure on the ends of your slippers or shoes, I simply ask you to ask God if you are exhibiting diligence and fervor in how you serve Him. I’m pretty sure He can guide you if you really desire Him to guide you.