Choose carefully. . . .

   

Last week Jesus had me doing something for a family I met that day and will likely never see again. The person who brought their need to my attention took pictures of the results. This, and the occasional time I’ve seen certain “Christian” television shows, raised a question: Is serving God a spectator sport?

Piper’s devotional raises a similar question. Is it God’s will to advance biblical truth through human institutions such as seminaries, colleges, parochial schools, mission agencies, publishing houses, journals, newsletters, hospitals, relief agencies, musical groups, drama troupes, conferences, camps, counseling centers, evangelistic associations, coffee houses, and radio and television networks, stations, and programs?

Piper reasoned that institutions by nature develop self-sustaining power as opposed to God-sustained power. There are human expectations, human employees, procedures, traditions, money, brainpower, real estate, facilities, reputation, and a constituency. These all can keep an institution going even if the Holy Spirit has withdrawn. In other words, the rules and traditions that are not part of God's will too easily become part of the way these institutions do things to the point that He is no longer the divine power behind their activities.

This happens in individual lives too, but not always and if the people are involved and growing in their faith, He will address it just as He spoke to His OT people. The danger is not so much that anyone can slide into human motivations and methods, but that the baby gets thrown out with the bathwater. We need to see opportunities rather than slide into sinful behavior.

I recall a discussion about serving God and one man said that the curling rink was his mission field. He got involved in that sport as a means to meet new people and share the gospel with them. Another said they did the same with their activities. I belong to quilt groups and realize that these are also mission fields, but also realize how easy it is to ‘enjoy the sport’ and forget about sharing Christ.

The Bible warns against relying on anything but the Lord, but does not forbid me from using outside help as He leads. These verses speak of where I must get my strength:

The war horse is a false hope for salvation, and by its great might it cannot rescue. (Psalm 33:17)
The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord. (Proverbs 21:31)

That is, institutions like those above, or sports, or even quilting can be a vehicle to share Christ, but don’t rely on the vehicle; rely on the Holy Spirit and God’s leading. He could have put me in the art world, or even into showing my horses, but His leading has me where I am. The point is to “bloom where planted” and not decide where that is or how to use it without His leading.

Piper’s point is to be aware of the line between God-ordained, Spirit-sustained institutional life and human-designed, human-sustained institutionalism. That goes for all of life, not just institutions. I can quilt to bless those who receive them or I can quilt to glorify me.

PRAY: Lord, I know the line most of the time. My current challenge is what to do or say to those who think I do this just for the enjoyment I get out of it. They have no idea that serving You brings sweat as well as joy. Yet defending that puts the focus off Your goodness too. Wisdom is always needed, as is a heartfelt reliance on You rather than feeling I should be put on a pedestal. I want You to be glorified.

O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. (Psalm 131:1–2)