Keeping Busy

So, it's been a while. Every time I thought about writing something down I lost the muse, or something. So, the world has been spared another several blog postings. Probably a good thing.

Anyway, I'm reading my bible the other day, through the book of Exodus. Second book of the bible, old testament stuff; Moses, the 10 Commandments, all kinds of stuff. You know, the first time Moses went up on the mountain to meet with God, he was up there 40 days. God gave him the commandments at that time and some other important info.

Now, this is the same God who rescued the Jews from the Egyptian rule, poured out plagues on the land that did not affect the Hebrews, locust, frogs, gnats, darkness,etc. Then the final sign as Pharoah refused to let the Hebrews go; striking dead the firstborn in the nation of Egypt, man and animal.

This is the same God who directed the Egyptians to give their valuables to the Jews as they left Egypt. The same God who parted the Red Sea so the Jews could cross as if on dry land, then causing the water to wash over the Egyptian soldiers who tried to follow.

This is the God who blazed a trail for His people with a cloud during the day and a great pillar of fire at night, so the people led by Moses would follow. Then, Moses heads up the mountain for 40 days. While he speaks with God, the Hebrew people started partying, even making a gold calf idol to worship. They forgot about the God who led them to freedom and the man God sent to them in under 40 days.

So God dispenses judgement on the Hebrews, many people die. Moses smashes the tablets containing the commandments and basically talks God out of destroying the people. Another couple of tablets later, some repentence, and the Hebrews were saved by God's grace.

Now, God then gave very specific rules about building a tent of meeting that would be where God would hang out when the Hebrews would take a break from their travel to the promised land, Israel. He gave very specific orders on how to construct everything, how to make the robes for the priests, the rules for various ways how to minister in the temple. In the next book, Leviticus, God lays down some real specific rules, designed to keep people safe and healthy, both physically and spiritually.

We sometimes look at rules and regulations as hinderances to our freedoms, keeping us from fully enjoying our lives. I think God looks at them much differently. He gave specific instructions because He knows if left to our own desires, we're making idols out of gold, out of possessions, jobs, relationships, that end up separating us from Him.

God's rules weren't designed to hold us back. They were designed as ways to help us to remember to rely on Him. As we walk through life, we sometimes feel empty even in times of great wealth. We sometimes feel helpless, alone, or just simply "unfulfilled". Some of us deal with chronic health issues, poverty, addictions, and can't figure out why. "If God is love, why is there war, sickness and death?"

Well,let me give you my opinion. If we look at God as a quick fix, a Dr. Phil of the spiritual air waves, we're missing the boat. See, in the rules God desires us to try them out, to try Him out. As we are obedient to Him, He then knows we're serious about enjoying a relationship with Him, not just using Him as some kind of spiritual Santa Claus or other-wordly John Wayne bringing the cavalry to rescue you before it's too late.

Interestingly enough, God saw that for some reason most of us, if left to our own devices, will walk away from God. So He did send the cavalry, His son Jesus Christ. Jesus came to show us God's true nature, while as a man, he was prone to the same temptations and weaknesses of us all. Being obedient to God, He didn't follow the path of the calf-makers and self-worshipers. He stayed obedient,even taking God's punishment for sin upon Himself for all of us. He, as a sinless, blameless, spotless perfect one gave His life up so that we don't have to take God's punishment for everything we've done our way instead of His way.

It's not enough to say you believe in God, most people say that. The real way is to accept that there is one way to the Father, and that is by acccepting who Jesus is and really asking Him to lead you through this life to the next one. If the Isrealites had stayed obedient, many thousands would not have died, they would have taken a trip of about 11 days instead of 40 years in the wilderness.

What is your wilderness today? Is it lost in a mountain of debt, family troubles, or a situation that you can't seem to fix by yourself? It's time to look to the God who loves you so much He died for you. Father, Son and Holy Spirit our God is one. The one. If there are many Gods there are no Gods. If there are many ways to heaven, there is no real heaven. If the afterlife is something you have created in your mind, with your sense of "fairness" or "tolerance" you're missing out on a great opportunity to know the one who makes the rules, not to burden you with rules, but allow you to be free in this life and the next through His son Jesus Christ. He who the son sets free is free indeed.

God's Kingdom is kind of backwards compared to our thoughts sometimes. He says "obey" and you'll be free. He says "give" and it will be given to you. He has told us we only can love because he first loved us, even dying for us. Try this backwards kingdom for yourself; be obedient and be free; give to others, and see what you receive, love others, and feel His love. God Bless you all.