March 17, 2009
On the Trail
The weather here in new Mexico has
turned once again towards signs of spring after a cold spell came and went. I
took Masada (my dog) to the park for a walk. As we were nearing home from our
walk, Masada got a whiff of something. With his nose to the ground he followed
the scent, nearly dislocating my arm in the process.
MASADA
He tracked through some bushes, back out
onto the grass and up the path around the park. I have no idea what he was
following. Whatever it was, it had his full attention. Nothing was going to
deter him from tracking it down. At least until he finally lost the scent of
whatever he had been trailing. When he lost the scent he wandered back and
forth, very lost and confused looking.
Sometimes I get like that, and I suspect
that you might as well. We hear part of what God has to say to us and we begin
to dig in and move forward like a hound dog on a fresh track. We don't look
anywhere but right in front of ourselves and nothing is going to deter us from
our set course.
Our enthusiasm is wonderful. Our
diligence is laudable. Our persistence is admirable. The problems come in when
we forget to stop and check with God to see if we're still on the right track.
Often God wants us to go down the path to a certain point and then change
directions. If we don't check we miss our turn off point.
The church is littered with examples.
Congregations that didn't listen to God about the changing needs of the
community. Programs that have run forever, long after the need for them has
passed. People who hold on tight to the "way we've always done it". Ministries
that are no longer relevant or effective. Revivals that drifted off into the
morass of formula and legalism. Denominations that were raised up by the Spirit
only to stall and wither away when they lost touch with His prompting.
We need to remember that God's plan is
too big for us to know in its entirety. Often He only reveals what we need for
the moment and we must be in constant dialogue with Him to stay the course.
Even the disciples were told to stop and
wait at times. They were set to move forward and boldly declare the resurrection
of Christ. In fact they had begun to do that, and the church saw its first
martyrs. That was fine, but there came a point when Jesus said stop and wait.
Luke
24:45-49 NIV
Then he
opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, "This
is what is written: The Christ will suffer and rise from the dead on the third
day, and repentance and forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all
nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going
to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have
been clothed with power from on high."
After his
suffering, he showed himself to these men and gave many convincing proofs that
he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about
the kingdom of God. On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them
this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised,
which you have heard me speak about. For John baptized with water, but in a few
days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
Are you on track with God? Or are you
simply following an old scent? Perhaps it's time to check with God on where he
is working and what He wants you to do.
Until next time, remember to lift your
nose now and then, look to the heavens and seek direction. Sometimes that means
you might even have to stop and wait.
Be Blessed,
Darrel Mason