I sat and watched the magpie take a cold shower. It wasn't exactly a
shower, but he was giving himself a bath and the water was cold. There was ice
forming on the surface just a few feet away.
He dipped his beak in the lake and then preened everything he could
reach. He fluffed and primped all his feathers. I was surprised at how
meticulous he was about the whole process; it really was amazing to watch.
When he was done, he paraded up and down a bit along the edge of the
lake. It reminded me of someone checking himself or herself out in a mirror
just before going on a big date.
Finally satisfied with the results, he took to flight and flew just over
my head. As he flew by, he called out several times as if to say "See how
good looking I am! I'm the best looking bird on the lake!"
He cut a quick loop in the air, landed on the edge of a garbage can
about twenty feet from me and immediately began rooting for something to eat.
So much for the bath! It was a complete waste of clean.
I thought about people. We do the same thing, especially on Sunday
morning.
We get dressed up and go to worship for appearances sake. We're very
concerned about having the right "outward appearance". This desire
for appearance goes beyond our clothing; we quickly learn the right phrases,
the right jokes, the right status symbols and more. We carry our big Bibles (in
the appropriate translation of course), wear our Sunday meeting smiles and
practice being very saintly.
We get all ready for worship, do our churchy duty and feel as if all is
well with the world. Then like the magpie, we go stick our head back into the
garbage pail. We pick up our favourite vices and sins as soon as we're out of
sight of the church, sometimes even sooner if the family fights, choices of
music, language and jokes in the parking lot are any indication.
It's a complete waste of clean.
Our faith walk isn't about appearances it is about being transformed.
It's about being reborn, made new and being shaped into the image of God.
Therefore,
I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices,
holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform
any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of
your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his
good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:1-2 NIV
Now the
Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And
we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed
into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is
the Spirit. 2
Corinthians 3:17-18 NIV
All of us are going to sin, even born again spirit filled believers
stumble. Let's at least be honest about who we are as a work in process rather
than all the pretending. Instead of worrying so much about our outward
appearance and what people think of us, let's get back into the business of
being honest with our shortcomings and helping one another to walk the talk for
real.
Until next time, don't settle for a superficial cleaning and then go
bury your head in the garbage. Give God permission to truly clean you from the
inside out, to work where it really matters, in your heart and your mind
Be blessed
Hallelu Yah
Kevin
Jesus died so that you and I could be clean in front of God on judgement
day. He knows all about the garbage of our lives, yet if we turn to Him in an
earnest desire to change and be cleansed, He accepts us where we are. How long
will you continue to ignore the fact that He gave His life for you?
If you haven't made the decision to accept Christ as Lord, or don't know
what I mean when I say this, email me and I'll share some Bible verses that
explain why a personal relationship with Jesus is so important and a prayer
that will make it possible.
You can simply begin the relationship by honestly and completely opening
your heart, admitting you need God's help, and saying a prayer along the lines
of:
Jesus:
I have made many mistakes in my life and done things I am not proud of.
I need your love and forgiveness. I believe that you came into this world and
gave your life on a cross to pay for my sins and that you defeated death and
rose again. Please forgive me, and be the Lord of my life. I give my life to
you Lord.
Amen
If you pray this prayer for the first time let me know so I can rejoice
with you.
Did you know that at Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer
warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential? Your comments,
your questions and your joys are shared with the prayer team, to keep me
accountable as the head of the ministry and to encourage them as they see God
at work in your life. As with prayer all these things are kept confidential
within the Gleanings team.
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(c) 2002 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin
Gleanings From The Word Ministries International
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