I Pledge Allegiance….

“Since you call on a Father who judges each person’s work impartially, live out your time as foreigners here in reverent fear.”  1 Peter 1:17 (NIV)

To me this is the greatest country on the planet and to live here is a privilege.  I have been to other countries and there is nowhere I would rather call home.  But according to Scripture we who are Christ followers at best carry dual citizenship and our primary allegiance should be to the country (Kingdom) of God.  Nations will always be in a state of flux subject to the whims and desires of humanity but the kingdom of God is steadfast and will remain forever. 

Who Is To Blame?

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.”  Matt. 6:19 (NIV)

In one of the services last week I made reference to a lending institution whose stock went up after an infusion of capital by a very famous investor.  I followed it with an unflattering comment about the bank that in hindsight was unnecessary.  In any company or profession there are unscrupulous people whose greed can destroy lives.  At the same time there are people who work very hard to provide services to people with integrity and the best of intentions.  In our anger at the “thieves” let’s remember the good people doing the best they can day to make things right.   

A Normal Life

At the end of the movie Tombstone Doc Holliday asks Wyatt Earp what he ever wanted and Earp replied, “Just to live a normal life.”  Holliday’s response was this, “There’s no normal life, Wyatt, its just life.  Get on with it.”  

As I read Eccl. 3:1-8, I find that Doc is right; there is no such thing as a normal life.  There is simply life with its share of joys and sorrows and instead of wishing for something different let us “Get on with it.” Paul echoed these words when he said, “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (Phil 3:12).  

Pray with me, “Father, this day, I choose to press on.  Whatever life brings I will press on in Christ Jesus who has taken hold of me.  I will not wait for normal, I will not wait for better, and I will not wait for perfect.  I choose to “get on with it,” today.
 
Remember to turn right,
 
Ray