Friday, May 25, 2007

The heart of the matter

Ted Gossard over at The Jesus Community recounts an experience hearing a sermon that didn’t ring true.

Some years ago I remember hearing a pastor and thinking he sounded hollow, or that something just didn't seem right, or at least that in spite of the way he preached which was an emulation or model of "good preaching", and that there was good in his message, I frankly was glad when it was over. Later it came to light that he was having an emotional affair with a woman from another city. I don't know if I had just been having a bad day or had been given a measure of some kind of discernment. But there are few issues I'm more concerned about than losing my heart in God, really none.

He goes on to reflect “When I'm losing my heart in God I no longer feel quite at home in God. My heart is elsewhere. Isn't that idolatry?”

<idle musing>
That is so true. When I find that I don’t desire to live in God’s presence, it is always because I have allowed something else—maybe even something “good”—to displace God in my heart. God brooks no rivals, either he is lord, or he isn’t. I just finished reading the hextateuch again, and that seems to be a resounding refrain throughout all six books, all the way up to the last chapter in Joshua:

But Joshua said to the people, “You cannot serve the Lord; for he is a holy God; he is a jealous God; he will not forgive your transgressions or your sins. If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then he will turn and do you harm, and consume you, after having done you good.” Joshua 24:19-20 RSV

</idle musing>

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