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Joshua 24:14-15 ESV
14 “Now therefore fear the Lord and serve him in sincerity and in faithfulness. Put away the gods that your fathers served beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the Lord. 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your fathers served in the region beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Choose. God’s way or my way? The church of Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22) was lackadaisical about their faith, lulled to sleep by the culture that trusted in their material wealth and doing things on their own, independently, but also trying to trust in God. Oh, how Laodicea sounds so much like us and the American struggle! We, too, are a culture that thrives on independence and doing things our way. The temptation and pride creep into our churches as well.
What would it look like for us to be “zealous and repent”? The Message translation says, “The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!” (Rev. 3:19)
The enemy wants you distracted and useless, not advancing the Kingdom of God with passion. What would it look like to fix your eyes on Jesus instead of culture? To run your spiritual race so as to win the prize (1 Cor. 9:24)? To be zealous (fervent, passionate, enthusiastic) in your faith?
Hebrews 12:1-2 AMP
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, 2 [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith …
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As you go through your day, facing situations that cause you to choose between obedience to God or culture, envision the great cloud of witnesses cheering you on as you run your race. Pray for that sharp focus on God’s plan and prize for you and His kingdom. Listen to the nudges of the Holy Spirit as He redirects you back onto the path that leads to life.