First Chronicles chapter 5. What is my USED TO BE STORY?
Good morning Everyone!!!
I hear a lot of USED TO BE STORIES. I used to follow Jesus. I used to go to church all the time. I used to read my Bible. I used to be in the choir. I used to be a youth leader. I used to be on the board. I used to be a deacon. I used to be an elder. I used to be a trustee.
My relative was in an abusive relationship and called me to pick her up. When I got to the meeting place, the man she accused of hitting her was there. We got into a conversation about getting help and I mentioned about starting with a relationship with Jesus. At that point I got to hear a lot of I USED TO BE STORIES. He started sharing how he grew up being taught about God, and his grandmother used to take him to church.
Personally, I don't think God is impressed with our used to be stories. He's more concerned and impressed with our today stories. What are we doing today with our faith? Are we moving forward or backwards?
The Israelites used to be amazing followers for the Lord. They were strong faithful leaders living for the Lord and had the reputation of being brave and excellent and trained military warriors. They prayed and trusted in God and God did great things through them.
Then over time they became unfaithful to the Lord, so much so, God allowed them to be taken captive by their enemy.
It didn't happen overnight. It took time.
- It starts with gradually decreasing one's time spent with God.
- Gradually starting to do things that replaces our heart for the Lord.
What's our story? Are we living for the Lord 100%? Have we surrendered everything? What was our reputation for the Lord? What is our reputation for the Lord today? Are there things we used to do for the Lord that we aren't doing now? What is our used to be story? Is there anything that we need to surrender over to the Lord in order to get us back 100% with Him?
Matthew 10:22 and James 1-12 are just two examples of Scriptures that say how important it is to persevere with our faith to the end. I don't find any Scripture that says start strong and don't be concerned about how you finish.
Might we all be encouraged to be all that we can be for the Lord today and tomorrow.
Thinking about the “Used To Be Stories”, I was reminded today of a 19th century science experiment where researchers found that when they put a frog in a pan of boiling water, the frog just quickly jumped out, but when they put the frog in cold water and slowly boiled the water over time, it just boiled to death slowly without realizing or noticing that it was boiling to death. The idea is that the change in temperature was so gradual that the frog didn’t realize it was being boiled. There has been some controversy over whether this experiment is actually true or not, but I think that it’s still a good metaphor for how we may react to sin. Certain sins are obvious and if tempted, we would probably turn away from right away, but then there may be other areas in which we may compromise a little here and a little there until we eventually may find ourselves taken in a gradual direction that could slowly result in a similar outcome like the boiled frog.
The “Used To Be Stories” also reminded me of a song by Michael W. Smith called I Miss the Way. Here are the lyrics.
Once a true believer
Once there was a fire in your soul
You were the epitome of blessed faith astir
With thirst for holiness
And hunger for the Word
Now you move in other circles
To the beat of different drums
And I see only glimpses of the one you used to be
The inspiration that you were to me’
[Chorus]
I miss the way His love would dance within your eyes
I miss the way His heart was the soul of your life
And somewhere in the saddest part of heaven’s room
Our Father sheds a tear for you
He’s missing you, too
Some are calling you a prodigal
Some aren’t calling you at all
But far away someone is calling you back home
Do you hear it anymore out there on your own
[Chorus]
Once a true believer
Once there was a fire in your soul
You were the epitome of blessed faith astir
With thirst for holiness
And hunger for the Word
Now you move in other circles
To the beat of different drums
And I see only glimpses of the one you used to be
The inspiration that you were to me
May we be careful to guard our hearts and walk in the way that is pleasing to the Lord as others are also watching how we live.
1 Peter 5:6-8
Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time He may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on Him, because He cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.