You can become a winner only if you are willing to walk over the edge.
(Damon Runyon)
People become interested in spiritual things for various reasons. Many seek to alleviate pain, others want to fill an emptiness they feel inside and some have a longing in their hearts for God. But beware of a hidden danger lying on the path of faith. Jesus mentioned it in the Farmers Parable (Matthew 13:18-23), “… the seed that fell among thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but … the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no spiritual fruit is produced.”
There are many distractions: worry, fear, lust, greed, blessings, recreation and a host of passions. Trivial matters must not govern priorities. The most important thing in life is knowing the most important things in life (David Jakielo). Don’t kid yourself, you and I are good at attaching strings to faith and attempting to serve the Lord on our terms.
Two pioneers of faith, Abraham and Sarah, set the example of obedience that we are to follow. God promised this couple a son when Abraham was 75 and Sarah was 65 years old. Twenty four years lapsed and they were still childless. God again appeared to them, reaffirming His promise. In just a few months after this divine visitation their miracle blessing came, Sarah conceived and gave birth to a son who they named Isaac.
Great blessings are followed by great tests. Eighteen years after Isaac’s birth the Lord said to Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19), "Take your son, your pride and joy whom you love; go to the land of Moriah [Jerusalem] and offer him there as a burnt offering."
Abraham did not understand why God would ask such a thing but he, with a great deal of reluctance and apprehension, determined to do what God was requiring him to do. The great Patriarch laid his son on an altar, intending to sacrifice him there. The Lord stopped him. It was just a test, something God did not intend for him to do. He passed the test with flying colors and earning himself the right to be called the Father of our Faith.
Offer the Lord your best, not what is left over you have spent most of what you have in the pursuit of your own self interest. The greatest accomplishment is focusing on God’s purpose and plan for your life. Things which matter most must never be at the mercy of things which matter least (Goethe)
People become interested in spiritual things for various reasons. Many seek to alleviate pain, others want to fill an emptiness they feel inside and some have a longing in their hearts for God. But beware of a hidden danger lying on the path of faith. Jesus mentioned it in the Farmers Parable (Matthew 13:18-23), “… the seed that fell among thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but … the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no spiritual fruit is produced.”