What could be the harm?

In my last post , I shared what happened when Jesus sent the 72 out to minister in His Name and for His purpose. Their trip was so successful that they came back rejoicing.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.”

 He replied, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:17-20

We discussed the reason for the warning and the back story about Satan. I want to continue the topic by personalizing the issue. How does Jesus’ warning to the disciples benefit us? Plenty I believe and here is why.

The Need for Personal Reflection

It is interesting that just after Jesus tells the disciples in verse 19 that nothing will harm them because of His God-given authority/power to them, He issues one very important “however” in the next verse. Even though they had supernatural abilities, they still needed to be on guard over what COULD harm them- rejoicing too much in the opportunities God gives at the expense of not rejoicing enough in the ultimate experience, a relationship with God.

What about us? What could rob our heart of rejoicing meant for Christ through His gift of salvation?

• love of parents and children (Matt.10:36-38)
• responsibilities in life (Matt. 6:31-33)
• worries of this life, deceitfulness of wealth, desire for other things (Mark 4:18-19)
• worldly fulfillment, personal well-being (Matt. 16:25-27)
• ministry, selfish motives  (Acts 8:9-23)

These are only a few of the things that can captivate our hearts at the expense of stealing our passion for the Lord.

How can we know if that is happening?

Whatever keeps us from enjoying God is what we need to be on guard against.

When I look at the heroes of the faith, those who were most successful had their priorities straight. People like Abraham, Hannah, David, Daniel, Deborah, Paul, Steven, Mary and so many more, recognized that their relationship with God was the ultimate opportunity in life. These men and women knew God had called them for a purpose but it was not to be at the expense of their own personal intimacy with the Lord. None of these people were perfect but they know how to protect what was most important.

Whatever keeps us from enjoying God is putting us at risk. Share on X

It is so easy for us to let our heart go OR give our heart away. King Saul and King Solomon are perfect examples of this. Saul allowed the kingdom to steal his affection from God in 1 Samuel 13 and 15. Ultimately, he cared more for his role in the kingdom than in his relationship with the Lord. Likewise, Solomon in 1 Kings 11 gave his heart away to the foreign women he loved at the expense of his faithfulness to God.

Both of these men had a “however” that placed God secondary to their ultimate enjoyment. What we learn is that God will not allow Himself to be prioritized after ANYONE or ANYTHING. Even when it is a God-given blessing, it cannot usurp God off His rightful throne in our hearts.

The Subtle Scheme That Cost Me

I know this slippery slope firsthand. I have seen it happen several times in my life.

First, as a parent, I learned that though God gave me 3 great gifts with my children, they should not be treasured at His expense. When I say I don’t have time for God because I am so busy being a mom, I am in truth using these same gifts against Him. I am selfishly, and foolishly, giving them so much of my time that I have nothing left for God. In essence, I am rejoicing over my children more than I am my relationship with God. My heart’s desire is reflected by my schedule.

I may say that I need my sleep in the morning or our schedule needs to be as busy as it is but I am only doing harm as I allow this. What I truly need is to prioritize God first so that I can be the daughter He deserves and the mom that will benefit them the most. Right priorities equal right relationships. This will benefit everyone!

This scheme also cost me when my children grew into teenage years. As a Christian parent, I feared their choices. I worried about the prospect of having a “prodigal” or a car accident from foolish driving.  I began to live in dread of what could happen.

Even though I wasn’t “rejoicing” over the wrong thing, I still wasn’t rejoicing over the right thing- God.

Secondly, in ministry, I learned that I am His to do with as He pleases. He can make as much of me or as little of me as He sees fit. I am just a servant in His kingdom.

When I begin to feel burdened by His purpose for me, then I have taken the responsibility for it away from Him and assumed it myself. There have been many times in my life where I have crossed this line. From early on 25 years ago in ministry as well as in the last couple of years, I have felt this burden as if it were all up to me.

In those moments when I have usurped God’s responsibility, I am unable to enjoy Him because of the heavy burden I feel to work for Him. What I should do for Him takes precedence over what I can enjoy about Him.

I am in danger when what I do for God takes precedence over what I can enjoy about God. Share on X

Additionally, if I am busy serving God while not having time to sit with God, I am heading for trouble. There is a temptation to get caught up in the busyness for God at the expense of my own devotional time with Him. We have all seen the tragedy of when people in ministry fall publically into sin. The best protection I have for my wayward heart is to keep in the Word of God FOR MYSELF more than for my ministry to others.

If working for God thrills me more than sitting with Him, then I am truly missing out on the best part. Share on X

Are you in danger?

If I were to ask you whether you have the relationship with the Lord that He offers you and your answer is “no” then my next question would be “why”. What is keeping you from that?

Is it your job? the kids? your busy schedule? volunteering? hobbies? passion for other things?  ministry?

Whatever is keeping you from time and attention enjoying God is what you should be on guard against! God did not give us blessings and opportunities for us to use them as an excuse for stiff-arming God out of our life. The bottom line we can learn from the warning of Jesus is that God wants us to be thrilled with Him more than how He chooses to use us for His glory.

If we are rejoicing in the wrong things or not rejoicing in the right things, we are equally being cheated out of our best life this side of heaven. A life with protected priorities will bring about joys that will last for eternity!