Misplaced focus

Friends,

Over the years, my wife and I have watched the news on television with decreasing regularity. She is down to maybe once per week, and I watch sometimes once per month. Negativity, violence and controversy dominate their words, their headlines and their imagery. We simply don't need that.

But at a deeper level, none of us needs to be reminded of what the world is going through. Economic times are tough, and will likely get tougher. Wars are raging, and our leaders attempt to appease those who wage them, which only incites and encourages greater bloodshed. Politicians exploit the jealousy and covetousness of man to stoke envy and strife among our citizens.

All this happens in the midst of our Lord's amazing provision ...

Isaiah 5:2
He dug it up and cleared out its stones,
And planted it with the choicest vine.
He built a tower in its midst,
And also made a winepress in it;
So He expected it to bring forth good grapes,
But it brought forth wild grapes.
NKJV

Let's face it. The LORD has shown Himself to be phenomenally generous and patient. He has given ... and He persists in giving. Not only has He given us all we truly need for physical life on this planet, He has provided us with eternal abundance! And yet, His people choose to focus on what the world has. And His people then begin to look like the world, instead of the Father. Pastors with fancy cars and reserved parking spaces. Evangelists traveling the globe like celebrities with private jets and entourages. Ministers selling books and trinkets.

Sisters and brothers, these are not good grapes. They are not evidence of bearing fruit for the Kingdom of God. They are wild grapes, which He would be fully justified in vomiting out of His mouth.

It is time ... now ... to shake off the covetousness and jealousy that the world is propagating. Turn away from envy and the strife it begets. We have everything we need to live lives of obedience, compassion and courage. Let us not wait another moment to do so.

Be encouraged, Jose