Apples of Gold

I am not the most patient shopper. Admittedly I shop like a military strategist. I usually know what I want, plan out the shortest path to it, try it on if necessary and love it or leave it. I do not enjoy shopping with my husband. He inherited his mother’s love for shopping and he needs to marinate in the selection process. I usually try to disappear for most of this ordeal, but inevitably run out of things to divert my attention and return to find him still standing in front of the same rack, looking at the same items with the seriousness of a forensic scientist. Blue or gray, short-sleeve or long sleeve? More often than not, after all this, he will just walk away without purchasing anything. His process boggles my mind and I sometimes find myself wanting to throw up my hands and say, “Just pick one!”

Occasionally, we all find ourselves struggling with commitment issues. Sometimes we hesitate to commit to a large purchase or join the upcoming Bible study. We find ourselves wavering and unable to make that final decision.

As followers of Jesus, living in a culture that increasingly rejects our belief system, we frequently find ourselves required to choose between compromising our standards or fitting in with those around us. This is not an issue unique to our day and age, in fact Moses faced essentially the same challenge:

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. Hebrews 11:23-26

Moses grew up with every comfort and advantage available in Egypt. Although he was raised as royalty his heart remained true to his God. Moses did not let the cost hold him back from fully committing to walking away from the palace.

What holds us back?

Sometimes we are held back from fully committing to God because we think we will miss out on something.

We see people around us seemingly enjoying things that Scripture tells us to avoid and our curiosity is peaked. The enemy knows how to wrap manure in a beautiful package that sparkles and shines. We can look at a temptation that has a pretty bow, even as we catch the scent of the mess carefully camouflaged inside, we hesitate to sell out to God because surely that beautiful box has something wonderful in it.

How often do we welcome the enemy into our homes through our entertainment? Don’t be fooled. The things we watch and listen to impact us deeply. Satan should not feel comfortable in our living rooms. I would prefer the presence of God to permeate my household. Don’t fall for the wrapping paper. Evil is evil-putting a bow on it does not negate the harm it brings.

Psalm 101:3 sets a clear standard:

I will refuse to look at anything vile and vulgar.

Another version puts it this way:

I will set no unclean thing before my eyes.

Sometimes we are held back because we want to put ourselves first.

How many of us actually have this one down? Selfishness is the hallmark of our culture. Our goal is to make things as convenient and comfortable as possible for ourselves. We rant at the slow moving vehicle in front of us, get upset that someone else got the last box of our favorite cookies, we don’t want to wait in line for anything. The media screams that we shouldn’t have to wait. That we should come first. How often do we demand our own way or overlook someone who is in much greater need?

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others too. Philippians 2:3-4

When you walk into a crowded room are you saying here I am or there you are? When you are putting others first they know it. People want to be around you because you build them up.

Sometimes we are held back because we don’t think our sacrifice will really matter.

Each of us has a calling on our lives to minister to others. Our platforms may be different sizes and types but we all have one. God will put people in your path that need to hear about who he is. Others will need encouragement, friendship, prayer, acceptance.

I had the great privilege of meeting one of my missionary heroes, her name is Huldah Buntain. Huldah spent most of her life loving the impoverished people of Calcutta, India. She spoke passionately of how she visited villages where not only was there not one single Christian; but no one even knew anyone who had heard of Jesus. She spent her life trying to change that one person at a time.

Listen to some words of wisdom from Huldah:

“We can’t change the whole world…but we can change someone’s world”.-Huldah Buntain

Let’s refuse to allow our dedication to God to be hindered by commitment issues. People’s eternal destination depends on it! Like Moses, we can look ahead to the great reward that will far outweigh any sacrifice or discomfort we might encounter along the way.