What’s more important to you…to be known on earth or known in heaven?
I was spending time with God recently and realized that most people value being known on earth way more than being known by God.
Be honest…don’t you like it when people praise you and seek you out? Do you live your life in a way that others are sure to see all your wins and none of your losses? Do you have a wonderful moment with family and then feel immediately compelled to post about it on social media because obviously the world needs to know about it? Do you do good things and then make sly posts about it or talk about it so that others know of your goodness? Do you feel compelled to share every good word you receive from God, with everyone you know, because it makes you feel important or special?
If we’re honest, we’d all admit that at least sometimes we do this.
I was struck by the revelation that we have cheapened our very existence by sharing sacred things with those who don’t even care. And sometimes with those who hate us. Casting our pearls before swine, so to speak.
The church seems to have lost its compass. Valuing things that don’t matter has become the norm. It’s become more celebrated than a life lived in consecration to God. In fact, many see a life set apart as an irritation. I know this is true. I have seen it in the inner workings of every church body I’ve been a part of and can see from the outside into others I’ve not been inside…all churches are doing it.
We’ve lost sight of the sacred. We’ve forsaken the humbleness of Jesus. We’ve stopped trying to mirror what He was really like, and instead what we imagine His fame to be.
The truth is, the more I press into God’s heart and seek Him only, the more I treasure the sacred sweet moments. The more I value my family. The more I don’t need validation from strangers, in fact, it most often feels disingenuous when they praise people and that makes me feel sick. Empty praise is offensive. Platitudes are a waste.
When in different positions at churches I discovered a whole group of people who only draw near when they think your position will help them excel. I despise that. I also discovered those who use flattery to attempt to connect with you, also to angle themselves into position.
It’s shocking to find that in church, but it’s just as bad there as it is in the secular world.
We’ve lost our way, but it’s not too late. The season we are in is a season of exposing for the purpose of restoring. Are you willing to lean into that? You can’t change what you deny exists. It’s time for us to lean into worshiping God in Spirit and truth.
God, would you winnow out every thing in me that is contentious to Your Spirit. I long to worship You in Spirit and truth. Please forgive me for anytime I’ve lived in error. Anytime I’ve valued that which is empty and forsaken You. Please draw my heart. Pursue me as I pursue You. Come and consume all that I am. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Jesus replied, “Believe Me, dear woman, the time is coming when it will no longer matter whether you worship the Father on this mountain or in Jerusalem. You Samaritans know very little about the One you worship, while we Jews know all about Him, for salvation comes through the Jews. But the time is coming- indeed it’s here now- when true worshipers will worship the Father in Spirit and truth. the Father is looking for those who will worship Him that way. For God is Spirit, so those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.” John 4:21-24
365 Days in the Presence 