Theme: “When religion replaces obedience, God leaves.”
I remembered reading a story once about a couple who were likely around Kirby and me's age. They likely grew up long before there was a need for “snow emergencies” and instructions on everything that happened and when people acted out of common sense and courtesy. I returned and found the story because I felt it appropriate for the Pastor's message this past Sunday. Here it is.
During a particularly harsh winter, an older couple struggled to keep up with the many weather advisories. One morning, as they sat down to their usual cup of coffee, they listened to the weather report on the radio.
“There will be three to five inches of snow today, and a snow emergency has been declared. Drivers must park their cars on the odd-numbered side of the street today.
The old man got up and dutifully moved his car to the “odd” side of the road.
A few days later, they heard another forecast. “There will be two to four inches of snow today, and a snow emergency has been declared. Drivers must park their cars on the even-numbered side of the street today.
The old man got up and dutifully moved his car to the “even” side of the road.
A few more days later, there came another weather alert. “There will be six to eight inches of snow today, and a snow emergency has been declared. Drivers must park their cars on the …” Before the weatherman could broadcast the final instructions, the power went out due to the storm.
“What am I going to do now?!” moaned the old man.
“Oh no!" The older woman despaired. Then she thought momentarily and said, "Well, Dear, why don’t you just leave the car in the garage today.”
Sometimes, we all fall into those lapses where we stop thinking for ourselves and mindlessly follow the crowd. Those lapses, however, can turn into lifestyles of mindless legalism rather than acting in obedience to the leading of our guide, the Holy Spirit. Legalism is spiritual laziness, is it not? After all, a ritual is easier to follow than a personal journey. The rules of religion lead to a routine that is often more comfortable than personal obedience.
We have learned that God created us uniquely, each with our gifts and passions. He did that so we could fit together into one body, His body, and function as one. If we all mindlessly follow the dictates of religious rituals, we short-circuit His purpose for us, His church, and His body because we lose the strength of the individual gifts and journeys each of us is given. Based on the groupspeak, we mindlessly move ourselves in unison from one side of the road to the other, losing the power He has given us individually and collectively.
Ritual versus Reality, religion versus obedience—our choices make all the difference for us, individually and collectively. Let me borrow from what we taught our children this past Sunday in their classes. It is Psalm 139:13-14.
“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.”
Religious ritualism and legalism blunt our uniqueness and force us into a box where we all look alike to the world. Let’s be outrageously unique and, yet, together.
Scripture: Colossians 2:20 (NIV)
“Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules:”
Prayer:
Lord, there is such joy and awe when I am in tune with you. When I am walking with you and in you all is right and I am at peace. Why then Lord, do I allow myself to listen to the world, join in step with them or be lured into thinking that way would be nice to dabble in a bit. I long to live only with you, yet I look back as if all was great back there. Funny, because I know the view is a false one and if I began to walk back that it would be dark and meaningless. What a fool I can be! So Lord, I move forward with you, turning my eyes to you and listening to your voice, always praying that the desire to turn back becomes less and less, and the sweetness of walking with you grows even sweeter. Just you, my Lord, just you!
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