Heat Exhaustion and Sin

There is a balm in Gilead

To make the wounded whole;

There is a balm in Gilead

To heal the sin-sick soul.

(African-American Spiritual)

 

            While we were in Florida we were fortunate to be able to go out into Tampa Bay on some boats.  With my younger brother we were able to go fishing and catch some snapper, Carolyn caught a shark about two and a half feet long, and we were able to watch dolphins play in the wake of the boat as well as seeing them cruise around at sunset.  On Carolyn’s brother’s boat we ended up at a large sandbar in a backwater channel that has turned into a gathering spot for many.  We were out at the sandbar for several hours with a large portion of it being spent in the water on the sandbar.  Somehow, even though I thought I was drinking enough water, staying cool by being in the water, and not really exerting myself a case of heat exhaustion crept up on me.  Not a bad one, just one that made me feel really tired and not so good.  I caught it before it progressed too far, but it still knocked me for a loop.  I think part of what happened was I was distracted and did not catch the warning signs in time.

             So, what does my heat exhaustion have to do with the life of the church?  It is this; many people do not realize they are coming down with heat exhaustion, or something more serious, because it creeps up on them so gradually.  It is the same way with several aspects of our faith and church life.  Those decisions we make saying “no one will notice” or “I will only do it this one time” or “it won’t hurt to miss worship just a few times” become easier and easier and before we know it we are doing things we would not have thought about doing or missing church on a more regular basis.  Very few people involved in the life of a congregation just wake up and decide they are not going to church anymore.  It is the same way with committing sin, few decide to actively sin.  The habits, beliefs, and lifestyles we live are gradually replaced with those habits, beliefs and lifestyles that move us away from Jesus.  Often it is so subtle we do not even realize it until something happens.  We constantly need to be alert for the signs, big and little, we are being overcome.  Remember the little items may not seem as potent, but let them all come together and they can be a more potent force in your life than what might be considered by many to be a big distraction or sin.
            Thankfully we are told that if we move away from God, that if our souls are overcome, that God through our faith in Jesus as Savior will take us back.  We can and will be healed.  We are also told to be on the lookout for the Tempter and our actions that might draw us away from God.  Are you looking for the signs?

 Blessings,

Pastor Dave