Not Everyone Will Go With You …

There is always a time for a clean out. I was looking at the contacts on my mobile phone and deleting those that it was clear had surpassed their usefulness. You know the ones. They’ve taken up space in there and you contact only once in a while and even there the contact isn’t that meaningful. As with seasons in life, there’s just a time when it comes to an end. Some people were just not meant to go with you all the way.

I was reminded of one of my favourite episodes of scripture to be found in Judges 7. Here the newly emboldened Jerubbaal aka Gideon gets his men off to engage in warfare and God says some pruning has to take place. The first pruning is a classic. It still bemuses me why some church leaders push and drive for people to attend services, for people to engage in ministries, for people to tithe, to set up membership contracts and the like compelling loyalty and devotion to the local church. You also have services where those at the front are begging, pleading, cajoling and even spiritually blackmailing attendees to ‘praise the Lord’. I know what that’s like – I’ve been there, worn the T-Shirt said the catchphrases. One of my favourites is the ‘now that would be good if it were for me, now let’s give God the real praise!’ Beyond that, though, there was something really amiss with all the contracts, begging, cajoling and that jazz. It defeats the point of disciples following Jesus Christ because they love Him with all their heart, soul and mind.

I wonder what it would be like if there was a chance for people to be real. If you don’t want to be there, if you’re afraid, if the cost is too much, feel free to leave now. I wonder how many people would be real and face up to facts and just sit it out? How many would call it quits?

Like that contacts list there’s just a time for a clean up – a clean up of our motives and desires. Not everyone is going to be in this walk for the duration. People have to be let go. People have to know that God is not begging anyone to follow Him. You don’t have to. If you are it’s just imprtant to have a desire and determination to do so, and even that is not a hallmark of your brilliance.

For His Name’s Sake

Shalom

dmcd