Insightful Musings on the Scriptures
by
Raymond P. Sparre
Northwest University class of '67
Greetings, dear ones.
It’s still morning…but it’s fast disappearing. The little boys are here in full force. To add pressure primarily to Becki, Safeway called Thano to work. I did manage a jog with Bimbo. He’s sure not ready to let off the tether along the highway.
What am I to do? This “HEART AFTER GOD” thing just keeps coming up again and again. Even when I try to move around it, it keeps getting in my way. I never wanted get trapped in a rut. I never wanted to be a fanatic. Oh my!...do you think…..?
Both signs and sawmilling are on the list. I better get busy. Blessings on your day.
Love, Dad/Ray.
Joshua turns up his passion control knob to its maximum setting as he exhorts Israel in the last chapter of Joshua. He definitely knows that this is his last chapter—he’s 110 years old, about to die, and must now surrender leadership to “the elders, leaders, judges and officials of Israel” (24:1). He passionately wants so much to infuse all Israel with his same level of passion—knowing that it’s really not optional if they are to continue to effectively serve the LORD and win His ongoing blessing.
As Joshua recounts their incredible past, he doesn’t want anyone to misunderstand or forget the key to their recent military success. There should be no room for strutting arrogance. “You did not do it with your own sword and bow.” He wants them to keep their heads and hearts wrapped around the fact that their one and only means to past, present, and future victory and blessing is rooted in an essential passionate partnership with the LORD—one that calls for a choice (24:15, 22)—a dynamic covenant relationship—a HEART AFTER GOD. Over and over their instructions have been to serve the LORD “with all your heart”—and that’s passion. (Example: Joshua 22:5).
Question: If I fail to serve the LORD “wholeheartedly,” what do I have left? Answer: Half-heartedly—or a fractional corruption thereof. Duh! Why in the world do we allow this simple math to become so infested with complexities? Let’s get it straight! Take the passion out of our Biblical Christian faith and all we have left is a bunch of wimpy religious activity where we’re entirely on our own—entirely dependent on our “own sword and bow.” It’s like taking the catalyst out of a two-part epoxy adhesive—promised effectiveness is rendered NIL. We may as well try to join essential parts using pancake syrup.
I just thought of a great homework assignment: Let’s take some time to search the Scriptures and see how many principles and precepts we can gather for supporting half-hearted Christianity.