Jeremiah...
God used this man to present a message to a people who thought they were religiously sound. His message came and was not understood, considered, and became a mockery to society. "We are following the laws and using the name of God. How could we be doing anything wrong? Jeremiah is one man and must be crazy!" Poor people...as we read in chapter 7...Jeremiah is warning the people saying they will be destroyed...their entire way of life will be uprooted because of their idol worship. You would think they would have listened... maybe even taken a moment to think about it... but they did not because they were all following the rules set before them by Moses.
How easy it is when we read the Bible to look at the people in question and condemn. How easy it is to see what they have done and think we would have been different. Some of us can be at the same crossroads now. We go to church, we are in a small bible study group, we are serving, we give to the poor, and most important...we know how to speak of being blessed. There is no real heart, just mere robotic movement.
It reminds me of driving....Have you ever taken the same route so many times, you really don't even need to think about which road to turn on? That's what Jeremiah is talking about...going to church for the sake of going...using words without emotion behind them, and the rest of the week, following the things of the flesh.
When we live our lives, we need to include God in every part...not just reading about HIM, going to church and being blessed....Our lives need to be a complete reflection of God. Our purpose in life is not just to raise and teach our children, but rather to seek and fulfill Gods will. For each of us, the picture varies....but the main goal is the same....seek Him and allow HIM to lead us on the journey.
So what are you doing today?
Are you just following along, doing what you think every "Christian" should do?
Or are you truly seeking HIM, making following God and sharing the Gospel your life's purpose?
If you are just following rules and have lost your passion, just start reading and praying more.
If you forget to pray (like me... :0)...), then write a note on your hand, put a string on your finger, or draw a heart with a sharpie on your hand to remember how much God loves you and how HE longs to hear from you... start to rekindle the fire you once had or you desire to have from your Father in heaven...
He loves you!!
He has never left!!
HE is waiting for you!!
I am praying for you...
