God's "Eco-System"

Note: Contrary to popular opinion,

"Christianity has NOT been tried and found wanting; It has been found hard and not TRIED!" (C. S. Lewis)

We hear a lot about "ECO-systems" in the natural realm. An "eco-system" is an environmental condition which includes all the factors that go to make up a viable and thriving environmental area. Not only does such a system have the desirable and pleasant plants and animals, it has those which perform a necessary but distasteful task as well Thus, such a condition includes not only the harmless and appealing animals like squirrels, deer, and quail; it has also buzzards, hawks, and coyotes— which are nature's way of "game management", keeping down the otherwise destructive numbers of those animals we like, and policing the area so that rotting carcasses do not remain, etc. It not only has attractive plants and flowers, but also the thorns and thistles which provide balance in nature and perform a needed function. Without this balance, an environmental area would soon deteriorate into an animal and plant wasteland dominated by the undesirable and useless for the good of mankind.

Well, in a way, a human life is like a natural "eco-system". There are many factors which combine to make a thriving and viable human spirit, and there are many types of people which go together to make a growing church or community. On the individual level, unless we include the WHOLE of God's components, we are unable to develop properly. A Christian is a family member, a citizen, a church member, a part of a social unit, etc. His intended development and productivity depends upon recognizing and becoming many things, not just a few desirable ones. I have known those who express a desire to be a good "parent", or a good "worker", or a good "wife/husband", etc., but who do not seem to realize that such is attained by doing and being the WHOLE person! A good "Christian" is not just the one who avoids wrong doing, but is weak in positive attributes. We emphasize "morality", but trivialize the importance of integrity, dependability, and industry. We stress participation in certain acts of worship, but ignore the equally important qualities of study, meditation, and service.

We watch the state of our natural life, and jealously guard the condition of our pocketbook, while largely failing to adequately provide spiritual nourishment and discipline for ourselves, our children, and our brethren. The fact is, we CANNOT be a good father, or a good parent, or a good neighbor, without good character, good attributes, good fruit-bearing qualities. Being a good "Christian", with ALL the pieces in place, is imperative to being a truly good anything else. On the collective level, a thriving spiritual community NEEDS aggressive, controversial and confrontational components as well as "sweet, kind, inoffensive" persons. It needs alert, watchful and alarm-sounding brethren, as well as those who emphasize peace and goodwill from our neighbors. It needs those who are willing to practice discipline (even punitive discipline) as well as those who stress concern and willingness to help the spiritually and materially needy. We must embrace and develop in ALL of God's ways, for His way to work. Examine yourself—do you have a balance in YOUR "eco-system"? -AcBelue

 

"Keep Thy Foot..."

"Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of worship,

and be more ready to hear, than to offer the sacrifice of

fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil..."

— Ecclesiastes 5:1

Two of the great lessons of Ecclesiastes are that, 1) ALL things, when viewed strictly in reference to the earthly life of man, are essentially "vain", or futile; and, 2) the ultimate good that comes in the life of a man is involved with a right relationship with God. So, it is not of great importance whether one is rich or poor, skilled or inept, popular or otherwise. But it is of great importance that we conduct ourselves properly before Him who will have the final word about our life and destiny.

Thus, the writer of Ecclesiastes says "keep thy foot" ("watch your step", "guard your conduct") when going to worship God. There seems to be an obvious relationship between the level of respect and reverence we show to God, and the manner in which we exercise ourselves in the other areas of life. We have a choice: Honor, praise, and stand in awe before God, or "offer the sacrifice of fools". With good reason, God has stipulated that we worship Him well and often. And, while the regularity and frequency of our worship is significant, this means little unless we "keep our foot" while worshiping. Attending every service can mean little, if it means offering the "sacrifice of fools" (going through the motions, while trivializing our presence, or ignoring the solemnity of the occasion.)

Promptness, alertness, humility and submissive obedience will carry a lot of weight with God. Habitual tardiness, a "dragging spirit" created by overindulgence the night before, casual attire and attitudes which are reflected in the way we conduct ourselves while there will not demonstrate a proper spirit in worship. The saddest thing? People do not even realize that bringing less than one's best, or acting in a casual or profane manner is seen by God as "evil". Ask yourself, where are the whisperers, the notepassers, the nail clippers, the constant gawkers in their relationship with God?

Even, where are those whose minds are allowed to wander, who are mentally busy with other things in the very presence of God? There is no reason for us to "do not know that they are doing evil." Worship is serious business, and deserves our undivided attention, both to the letter and the spirit of it. -AcBelue

"Address thyself to the worship of God with a solemn pause, and take time to compose thyself for it, not going about it with precipitation, which is called hasting with the feet,

(Pro_l9:2). Keep thy thoughts from roving and wandering from the work; keep thy

affections from running out towards wrong objects, for in the business of God's house

there is work enough for the whole man, and all too little to be employed."

-Matthew Henry