My granddaughter will look me dead in the eye while she ignores my instructions, especially when I say, “Don’t do that”. I know she is headed to trouble for herself, so I stand very close to her, but she thinks she knows better. She is three years old. Yesterday, she stepped off the shallow step into our swimming pool while I was standing right in front of her and “plop” underwater for a second while I grabbed her and stood her back on the shallow step. She looked surprised as she sputtered water out of her mouth. It was the last time she tried that – for a while. I could almost see her thinking, “there has to be a better way – someway I can have it my way”. It reminds me of so many Christians, churches and pastors.
I remember when I was younger and thinking how boring church had become. The same old messages, the same old music and the same old methods. There had to be a better way. Then it happened.
It was around 1990. New music started showing up. New ways of doing sermons, enhanced by things like drama, music, videos and live upbeat ‘worship bands’. No more choirs in robes and no more music that emanated from the King James version of the Bible. Everything was newer, hip, with stage fog, lights and lots of volume.
Pastors started wearing bluejeans with holes in the knees, cool haircuts, square rim glasses and ‘5 o’clock shadow’ facial hair.
The pastors were trying to be more relevant, that is, according to how we actually lived. More emphasis on “teamwork”, money, being a better YOU, financial planning seminars, outings and fun things. Miracles and the mysticism of Christianity was fading out.
Altar calls were no longer emphasized. But if you did go to the altar for prayer, it was to get something you needed or wanted. Sorrow for sin and repentance were mostly a thing of the past. They were just too negative.
The “same old crowds” we were accustomed to on a Sunday began to change. People started changed churches – or staying home. They were criticized as lone ranger Christians by the pastors.
Gone was the emphasis on Scripture memorization, witnessing and cooperation. Things had become competitive. Bigger, more, better, faster, cooler, more expensive.
We still used some old forms of worship and church. But, clearly, we were losing our way.
One pastor, as an example of the ‘new theology’ and the new ‘spiritual formation’, was teaching on miracles and said this: “When Jesus said the blind recovered their sight, it means they saw life in a new way. They did not really regain their sight from being blind. And the lame did not stop being physically lame, they just saw a new way to walk out their faith.”
ONLY ONE WAY
Listen to what Jesus says about this: John 14:4 “And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
Once you stray and become estranged, it is hard to find your way back home and there is only ONE WAY and that is through Jesus.
If you find life confusing and are feeling overwhelmed, it could be that you are no longer following Jesus. You may say and think you are still following Him, but, chances are that you are following some man’s or some woman’s opinion of the Truth – but it is not The Truth. They will look you dead in the eye and tell you, in so many words, you can eat of their fruit and surely, you will not die. But, oh loved ones, you surely will. You will certainly die. You will die on the inside first; then you will decay from the inside out.
ONLY ONE WAY
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness to see
There’s a light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
His words shall not fail you, He promised
Believe Him and all will be well
Then go to a world that is dying
His perfect salvation to tell
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Oh soul are you weary and troubled?
No light in the darkness to see
There’s a light for a look at the Savior
And life more abundant and free
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Turn your eyes upon Jesus
Look full in His wonderful face
And the things of Earth will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace
Here is a Disciple’s Devotional. Follow Him Daily. It will make a difference!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
Whitestone Fellowship 