Love Affair
In today's message at Take3, Ed Young posed something in a way that I have never heard before. I had heard my whole life of the church being the bride, and even had moments where I made the personal link to myself. (In other words, I am actually part of the bride of Christ).
But what I saw newly today, was that I have been an adulterous lover. I have not been faithful. I have lusted after, given of myself to others. One year I realized that that lover was "The Leafs in the Playoffs". I had spent EVERY second evening for 4 hours at a time, for 2 months with this harlot <GRIN>. And the commitment to her was great.
Now I am not saying that watching hockey is bad or adulterous (from the context of today's message), I am simply saying that I realized that I had ALLOWED hockey playoffs to become my harlot.
I still watch hockey, I still love hockey, but I am clear now where hockey's place is in my heart. The parallel to a marriage isn't that smooth, but the parallel that matters is, where do I invest my love and my time. I suppose the real test would be, Game 7, Stanley Cup Finals, Leafs and Montreal, and someone called me saying they needed help. Now if it was clear that the person needed help, then it would be easy. But what if it was something that the person on the phone felt was important, but I (influenced by the game) decided it could wait? In that moment is where the adultery occurs and I do well to take notice and give my head a shake. Jesus does not (I believe) want me to stop watching hockey. Hockey is not evil. (well we can talk about that) But when Jesus calls, and I hesitate to take action, it is in that moment that the adultery dost germinate. It is in that moment where I see where my heart is invested.
I could make excuses, blaming sophisticated marketing. Lifelong cultural influence. In fact I could blame all kinds of things. But in that critical moment it boils down to me making a choice, and I am the only one who can do that for myself.
So what do I take away from the message this morning? Where am I investing my love and my time! Am I a committed bride? What does it mean when I realize I am not committed? How amazing is it that He loves me when I flip flop! How thankful I am that he bought me when He knew how unfaithful I would be. He is my saviour and my love.
Dan
But what I saw newly today, was that I have been an adulterous lover. I have not been faithful. I have lusted after, given of myself to others. One year I realized that that lover was "The Leafs in the Playoffs". I had spent EVERY second evening for 4 hours at a time, for 2 months with this harlot <GRIN>. And the commitment to her was great.
Now I am not saying that watching hockey is bad or adulterous (from the context of today's message), I am simply saying that I realized that I had ALLOWED hockey playoffs to become my harlot.
I still watch hockey, I still love hockey, but I am clear now where hockey's place is in my heart. The parallel to a marriage isn't that smooth, but the parallel that matters is, where do I invest my love and my time. I suppose the real test would be, Game 7, Stanley Cup Finals, Leafs and Montreal, and someone called me saying they needed help. Now if it was clear that the person needed help, then it would be easy. But what if it was something that the person on the phone felt was important, but I (influenced by the game) decided it could wait? In that moment is where the adultery occurs and I do well to take notice and give my head a shake. Jesus does not (I believe) want me to stop watching hockey. Hockey is not evil. (well we can talk about that) But when Jesus calls, and I hesitate to take action, it is in that moment that the adultery dost germinate. It is in that moment where I see where my heart is invested.
I could make excuses, blaming sophisticated marketing. Lifelong cultural influence. In fact I could blame all kinds of things. But in that critical moment it boils down to me making a choice, and I am the only one who can do that for myself.
So what do I take away from the message this morning? Where am I investing my love and my time! Am I a committed bride? What does it mean when I realize I am not committed? How amazing is it that He loves me when I flip flop! How thankful I am that he bought me when He knew how unfaithful I would be. He is my saviour and my love.
Dan
posted by Daniel Hewton at 8:45 p.m.
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