3 Do two walk together
unless they have agreed to do so?
Country Preacher! Not one of those big time preachers on TV all the time. Just a simple preacher with a message from God that would change the lives of the people forever. He was given a message for a people who were comfortable and religious. Doin’ well, I guess you could say. Comfortable, complacent, severely slack concerning their relationship with God. They liked they way this preacher started his sermon. He started kicking the other nations around. He was preachin’ to them stinkin’ liberals and they liked it. But what they thought was a seven point sermon actually had eight. He got to the eighth point and camped out for a while.
I guess they thought that God was their best friend forever! Amazing what happens when we get comfortable in our walk with God…or can you call it a walk with God when HE is the only one walking. Coming to church is no substitute for walking with God! Walking WITH HIM is his idea from the start. Adam and Eve were to walk to gether in the garden, that is until SIN entered the picture. They got to thinking in the midst of their comfort that some how God relaxed the commands. Self-discipline and a sound mind went out the window and we have been suffering ever sinces. Jesus walked with God and I am glad He did for He made a way whereby I could walk with God.
How could they walk together? They don’t agree! They are going in two different directions. Can’t be friends if you can’t get along. Let’s see if I can remember here! I was 11 when I became a believer in Christ and if I remember well, I chose as an act of my free will to die to what I wanted and promised to allow Jesus Christ to be LORD of my life – boss, controller, owner, the ONE I would follow. I wish I could say I made that decision and I have never had to work on that one again. However, I find that when I don’t pay attention to something that it has a way of becoming distant. You can get very used to that kind of thing. And when you “get used to something” you have to be very careful not to forget! Comfort and complacency can be dangerous!
Ruth Graham (Billy and Ruth Grahams middle child), in her book In Every Pew Sits a Broken Heart , she tells of a time in her life where her husband relocated a family business in Texas. He worked in Dallas and she was a stay at home mom on farm they lived on. His commute was an hour long from farm to Dallas. He stayed very busy. She did as well. Kids. Daily issues. Next thing you know they were miles apart as a couple. He became focused on other women… How can two walk together unless they agree? I guess you can be together without “being together”. I guess you can confuse sleeping in the same bed, seeing the same children, eating at the same table, talking to each other on the phone from time to time, with a marriage. Maybe there is something completely different between being married and being “together” in life.
I am remembering for myself this morning that I made a commitment to the Lord. He wants to walk with me every moment of every day. Maybe he wants me to camp out around when our walk started. Maybe he wants me to hunger for HIM as much as he loves me and wants to guide me. I am discovering that He wants to guide me more than I want to be guided. I have a cronic problem with wanting to do what pleases me. I know I am the only one with that headache, but at least Iam honest. I am learning. I have not arrived.
I used to laugh at the Field Day times Nancy used to pull off at McLauin Elementary. The used to be competitive races. Now all we have is “sissy let’s make everyone in the world feel good” kind of races. Everyone’s a winner now! Like we never compete in the real world. Anyway, before they took out the competitive edge, she would have a three legged race. Two people would stand side by side and tie their inside legs that were together with a cord or strap. Nancy would blow the whistle and the race would begin. It was a hoot. Three steps into the race they would be laying all over the ground because they refused to figure out that if they moved their legs at the same time and concentrated on walking together they would go farther down the path. Someone had to be in charge! Someone has to take the lead. When you refuse to learn that, you end up on the ground.
Alright, Lord. I repent! Let’s get this three legged race thing going! I choose to tie my life to yours. You are the leader. Let’s go!
