June 3, 2019

Pastor Joe went to the doctor for his annual exam. The doctor told him that if he didn’t lose thirty pounds his health was in serious jeopardy. So Pastor Joe decided to go on a strict diet. The members of the congregation were skeptical because they knew Pastor Joe loved to eat.

One morning, Pastor Joe walked into the Bible study carrying a beautifully decorated cake. He said, “Before any of you begin to make fun of me, you need to know this is a very special cake because I accidently drove by the bakery this morning and as I looked in the window I saw all sorts of wonderful cakes, cookies, and pastries. I said, ‘Lord, if you want me to go into that bakery and buy something delicious, let me have a parking place directly in front of the bakery.’ Sure enough, on the twelfth time around the block, there it was.”

Needless to say, Pastor Joe is my kind of guy.

Within each of us is the capacity to rationalize and justify why we do the things we do, even when we know we are wrong. That’s because it’s always someone else’s fault.

Take Pastor Joe as an example. He was blaming God for a parking spot opening up on his twelfth time around the block. It was God’s fault.

But no matter how we slice it, we are ultimately responsible for everything we do, say, or think. There is no one else to blame. This is a hard thing to acknowledge because no Christian wants to admit they knowingly, intentionally go against God’s will. And yet that’s exactly what we do.

This is why John wrote: “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:7-9)

So take a few minutes out of the mad rush of your day to examine your words, thoughts, and actions. When you see how you have failed to live the life God created you to live, ask for forgiveness, and know that God loves you so much, that’s exactly what happens.

Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, open my eyes so that I may truly see. Open my ears so that I may truly hear. Open my mind so that I may truly understand. Guide me on your path and use me for your purpose. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

If you examine your life and cannot come up with any sins that need to be forgiven, call me. I’ve got plenty. I’ll share.

I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.

Tom Robbins