As for Me

Scripture: Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18

I have seen this passage or portions of this passage in many homes that I have visited. Many of the people that have this posted over their families truely do all they can to follow what the passage speaks, while other I wonder…

But who am I to judge I do not have this hanging anywherein my house, but that really is not saying a whole lot since from my experience as soon as I start hanging things we end up moving shortly after. But I do not own a picture saying this, to even consider hanging. It is not that I do not believe it or anything I just cannot choose which of the countless options I like best.

Today I really thought about what the context of this passage was saying. Joshua gathered all the elders and gave them a history lesson basically. Then he says I’m not going to live like those people that lead before, the ones that over the course of time lead us to where we are, but I’m going to live devoted to God. (That’s what I see anyway in my personal paraphrase). He is telling them I am going to do something different. I am going to live my life, and I am going to treat others according to my beliefs in God.

Do we really live like this, whe we put that picture quoting this passage over our doorways? Do we really live fully devoted to God in our words and actions? Do we treat our family, government, neighbors, and community like we would I God werestanding right next to us? Do we use the resources He has allowed us to use for God honoring endeavors or are we using them for the cults of wealth and greed? These are tough questions that I had to ask myself as I prayed with this passage today. To take it even further, since I am a pastor or someone who is looked to to be a spiritual guide among a community am I leading in a way that reflects the heart of this passage? Am I allowing my personal politics, dreams, goals crowd out or hinder others who are trying to live this life?

We each have to live life, how will we do it? Will we live following the courses others put us in or will we embrace something different? I encourage everyone to really look at your lives who are you following and what drives your decisions? Where is God in that and Who is that god? After you answer this question I encurage you to live all out in your expression of faith and devotion.