Sunday night service was a great pleasure last night when the Wylers on Wheels visited our church and presented the worship service. Their music is uplifting and utilizes every person in the family (okay, maybe one couldn’t stand on his own two feet and sing.) Piano, trumpet, French horn, glockenspiel (I believe the bars were metal) and their harmonious voices, all making a joyful noise to our Lord. That’s a blessing!
Notice the young man between his Mom and Dad? The one without a jacket – that’s Titus. He’s two.
You can’t see the small square of tape under his foot, but he knows it’s there, and he pretty much stays on it. Pretty much. He’s been taught that’s his spot. It belongs to him, and he belongs on it.
His grandfather told of a time when Titus decided his spot needed to be one step down. He reached down, pulled the tape from the carpet, placed it on the next step lower, then placed himself on top of the tape. In his mind, he was on his tape, where he was supposed to be.
How often do we do that?
What, you didn’t get it? I’m talking about how often Christians change the mark, lower the mark, that we’re supposed to be aiming for. Remember, Paul wrote:
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14 KJV)
If we keep lowering the mark, placing it where it’s convenient for us, how can it remain the ‘high calling of God’? Haven’t we changed what He gave us to do? We’re like Titus – a step below where we should be.
Only, we haven’t stopped at one step. We keep lowering our marks because it’s too hard to remain on the one God provided. For everything we do, there are instructions in the Bible. We can begin with:
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Philippians 4:8 KJV)
Think, before we act. Think on these things and our actions will be virtuous and praiseworthy. Unfortunately, we’re not doing that.
I actually wrote an example – but it failed to carry as much weight as our true authority, God’s word. When we are aware of missed marks – our own or those we love – we have instructions as how to handle it.
Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. (2 Timothy 4:2 KJV)
Titus’ parents, I’m certain with some longsuffering, rebuked Titus and helped him reset his mark. I’m positive our Heavenly Father stands ready to help reset our marks to match what He has planned for us. It is our loss when we accept the lowering of that mark we are to press forward to achieve.
Where is our mark?
How true. We step away a little at a time and think it really doesn't make a big difference, but before we know it, we are way off the mark. Good post.
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