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I get pretty wrapped up in the world. There's so many distractions - like the internet (ahem). Then I go over to my buddy Jason's blog and watch this Francis Chan sermon about how it is easier to fit a camel through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven; about how often that scripture has been explained away by one theory or another. But do you know what I think that scripture really means? I agree with Francis Chan's interpretation: I think it means that it is easier to fit a camel through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to get into heaven! I don't cling to money, but that doesn't mean that there are not any number of things that get in the way of simply being in awe of God. Stupid, ridiculous, small things that, when compared to the Creator of the Universe, the God who knit me together in my mother's womb, that knows the number of hairs on my head, are simply laughable. Seriously people. Go watch that video. If you can't do it now, go back and watch it later.
Jeff made the following video when he was the Creative Arts pastor at our old church. I have included the lyrics, all of which aren't on the video, but I think they speak volumes. What do you think?
The One Thing
Restless tonight
Cause I wasted the light
Between both these times
I drew a really thin line
It’s nothing I planned
And not that I can
But you should be mine
Across that line
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn’t that be something
I promise I might
Not walk on by
Maybe next time
But not this time
Even though I know
I don’t want to know
Yeah I guess I know
I just hate how it sounds
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn’t that be something
If I traded it all
If I gave it all away for one thing
Just for one thing
If I sorted it out
If I knew all about this one thing
Wouldn’t that be something
Revelation 3:14-22 14
"To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. 15I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17You say, 'I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.' But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see. 19Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. 20Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. 21To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
EDITOR'S NOTE: Speaking of stupid and ridiculous, Twitter update tomorrow!
21 comments:
katdish- In my S.S. class this past Sunday, when we were talking about what we treasure (Where your treasure is, there your heart will me also"), I posed this challenge.
If you really don't think you treasure it, then try to do without it and see how uncomfortable it makes you.
When I just things think of doing without somethings, I get very uncomfortable. (Mainly ,time on the computer. ) I don't mean the time "I'm supposed to be" on here, sharing, but the other countless hours.
I will not be mastered by anything.
This one thing....He is the only thing I want to be controlled by.
Thanks.
Awesome video. What a talented guy.
I heart Francis Chan, too.
And you! Great message!
insert smiley face with parentheses here.
How long have you had a button?
I grabbed your button, and it is under my blogroll.
Yeah, yeah, TWSS...
Great post.
We can't be reminded of the enormousness of God's wonder enough. Or at least I can't. I need to be reminded to refocus. A lot. Because I am random. But you knew that....
Dude. How multi-talented IS Jeff?? That video was awesome. You think he'd let me steal it to show our church sometime?
I've been wrestling with John Piper all week (metaphorically of course). So this really hits home. You are so right. How many little, trivial things do we let distract us from delighting in him and giving him glory?
And the verse from Revelation... well, my blog is named More Than Fine for just that reason. I don't want to be fine or lukewarm. We are called to far more than that.
Sherri - Yeah. I struggle with balance sometimes, but I've been praying for it, and God is answering prayers in some very unexpected, big ways.
Candy - thanks (sideways smiley face)
Helen - Sarah (God's Not Finished with Us Yet) made that button for me awhile back, and I just figured out how to put it on my blog (because I am THAT smart). And yeah, I know.
Beth - He is multi-talented. He can also make my dog pee on command. As for stealing his video, you'll have to coax him out of lurker mode. Good luck with that. He is also very good at annoying me by not commenting on my blog.
Chris - I'm not gonna lie, I'm a bit disappointed that you weren't actually wrestling with John Piper. I think you could take him.
I like me some Francis Chan too.
Great reminders to us to think about what is important.
Great post. I TOTALLY agree.
I played that video in 'church' two weeks ago and was very disheartened by the response - as in, no response.
Then, this last week someone started talking about how much it had affected them and how they had been thinking about things differently since they saw it.
I guess the problem we have is it's hard for us to take. We're so rich, we don't even know it - and it holds us back from God.
Great post Katdish.
PS Sherri - you were in a Secret Service class this past Sunday? Wow. I didn't know you were a Secret Service agent!
That song is on my iPod, and I was listening to it just last week thinking "this could be a Christian song about struggling" if you took it out of the secular context.
Given the age of the song...well, I'll just say God let's us know He's in control with seeming coincidence like these. And I didn't even have a fleece out...
Jeff...delurk! Or I'll have to go ALL the way over to your blog and ask permission to show your video. C'mon. Quit making katdish's dog pee and grace us with your presence for a mere moment.
My pastor never comments on my blog either. And my husband has commented TWICE on your blog and ONCE on mine. So there ya go.
Good thing our pastors have wives who are super cool AND comment....
Francis Chan is awesome, no doubt about it.
And that was a great post (though you could've warned me beforehand that Thoughtfully Deep Katdish would be here today).
Beth, that reminds me of a joke...
What's The Difference Between Roast Beef And Pea Soup?
Anyone Can Roast Beef.
Peter, You may never know how a message might affect someone. Don't lose heart:
"God hasn't called me to be successful. He's called me to be faithful." - Mother Teresa
Tony C - All things can be used for the glory of God. You know that.
Beth - Hmmm...I don't know if that's going to cut it. You may have to threaten him with Indiana again.
Billy - I don't even know who's going to show up on any given day. The only day you'll ever come here and not be surprised is Monday.
Helen - let the randomness begin!
Yeah. I figured it would come to that.
We have lots and lots of basketball courts, Jeff. I might have to drag you here and make you play 5,983 consecutive hours of barnyard basketball. While listening to John Mellencamp. And shucking corn.
Helen...but not everyone can pea soup. I LOVE that joke. Reminds me of a joke I can't put on here.
Beth, email it to me. Please?
Thanks for the shout-out yet again! You are awesome. This was a great post and I loved that video Jeff made.
It's so hard to keep the main things the main thing, but grace prevails if we let it. As Switchfoot says- It's a new way to be human.
Thanks for the encouragement.
Beth- Awe, shucks (and thanks). You are more than welcome to use that video. I'll get your email addy from Kat and send it to you.
Kat- I wasn't lurking (this time); I just haven't been on my computer today. Rockin' post (as always). I'm so glad you guys are a part of C3.
I am with the Chan-man on this one, too. I think Jesus was using hyperbole, much like He did when He talked about removing a speck from your brother's eye while you have a 2X4 sticking out of your own eye.
That was a cool post. I know I easily get caught up in all this blogging, writing, posting, drawing and forget why I'm doing it.
It's terrible. I really related to Jon's post the other day too about wanting to be famous... but, I know it's not the only reason I like doing this stuff.
Finding that balance between using your talents and using your talents...
I hope at least someone gets that...
I always struggle with that scripture, because I wonder how rich is 'rich.' We're all certainly richer than any average person in Jesus' day. Why is it hard? How 'not motivated by money' is enough? How much can I do without literally 'selling all my possessions' and still be saved?
Jason, Jeff, Brian, Matt -
Not that I'm telling you anything you don't already know, but I don't think you can set some arbritary amount of time, money, whatever and say "this is too much, or this is not too much". Does it block your way to abiding in Him?
I love the part in that video when Chan is talking about someone clinging to their tiny little house on a tiny dot of land, and the Creator of the Universe is looking down and saying, "ARE YOU KIDDING ME?!" That really stuck with me.
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