Just What is God Diggin' on Today?

His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor His delight in the legs of a man; the Lord delights in those who fear Him, who put their hope in His unfailing love - Psalm 147:10

Recently because of my work situation a lot of thought has been going into our ability to take care of our bills. Now, I was thinking of a lot of other ways to say that but I think part of what I should do is talk straight. So, there it is.

Money…again…some more…continually…freakin’ money
!
The King James Version (KJV) of the Bible calls money “mammon” and mammon and power are two ruling strongholds of American culture.

If you possess either of these, those who serve the workplace and who hope to increase their market share will court you. You want to know how to be a popular adult in America? Be a person who possesses the ability to create wealth for others. Can you see the problem this might cause?

Our world is a competitive place that often gives way to decisions and actions that are dictated by the financial bottom line. A recent newspaper article stated that employers are requiring workers to put more time into their jobs, often requiring weekend work in order to be more competitive. The 40-hour workweek that had been the dream of my parents is all but a lost thought today. For the Christian worker, this brings pressures on the family and will result in "lost market share" in the spiritual realm. We lose valuable worship time. We lose the connection to loved ones, to personal time, to activities we are passionate about but most of all, God, adoring Him, loving Him, rebuilding and building a relationship with Him because a tertiary and unnecessary activity in light of what our time and efforts are pursuing…the almighty dollar.

And then we are in big trouble.

The Lord has a different measuring stick to our determination if we are of value. Our Heavenly Father is not impressed with our ability or what you can do for to further earthly kingdoms. Only one thing delights Him. Now, this is put into many different forms. Here is the form I choose today. If you want to please your God then be a people who fear Him and put their hope in His unfailing love. Recognize his immensity, His attributes, but mostly His desire to be connected back to you.

What does it mean to fear God and place our hope in His love? It means we acknowledge that God is the source of all that we are and all that we should hope to become. He is the one who gives us the ability to work, plan, and execute our plans. He does not want us to look to our abilities, but to His abilities. The job we do must be done in a way that honors Him and put in balance with all that He values and not what we are so apt to put value on in our works-for-praise driven world.

Sometimes it is difficult to balance these two perspectives. However, if we ask God to show us how to maintain this balance, He will do it. Put your hope in His unfailing love today. Remember once more that loving His is about how you give Him your time and your talents and how, regardless the task, you do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ to Him be honor and glory and praise forever.

And then you will know that your heavenly Father is looking on you as a proud Father. I remain…

InHISgrip,
~J~