One can easily get wrapped up in day to day fast paced life. But is that being a follower of God? Or have we become a "Fan" of God as Kyle Idleman says it so well.
We should be active in our faith. Active, wow, how can I be "active" in my faith more? I don't have time... Well, this came to a shock to me, when I was pointed out, this earth runs on a 24 hour cycle. Yep. Not 26 for some and 12 for others. Twenty - four for each and everyone of us.
So is my twenty- four hours more important than the next persons?
So why do I not value His as much as I could?
It seems we create idols for ourselves... I just seen the red flags pop up. What are idols? There are really two main definitions The first being
"An image or representation of a god used as an object of worship". The second, "A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered."
The first is easily recognized by most. But is the second? "A person or thing that is greatly admired, loved, or revered." What about sports? Hobbies such as a car, boat hiking, or CHURCH?
I just seen the rest of the red flags go up... See an idol is something that takes your time and focus off from God. If you are spending all your time helping at your church doing needed things, but don't have time for your family. Are you serving God? God puts family first. we are His children, and He as intrusted us to take care of His other family members, our children and loved ones.
So as Kyle indicated, are we a Fan or a follower doesn't mean we go day and night preaching to every person we see. He means, that we need to make sure we are doing God's work, at home and outside of our home.
If we watch football all day Sunday and neglect our family or church family, Football has become an idol of worship. Are we committed to following Christ? Or are we committed to showing up in the bleachers listening to a sermon and run to the next thing on your agenda?
Back to the twenty-four hours, if we don't find time to serve God in our families and inviting others, then our time has been redirected as only satan would have it, away from God and toward idols.
I had a good friend that was an outreach minister. He was extremely dedicated to God's work. He was in by 6 am and was still going late into the evening most days. One day his wife got some very bad news, she had cancer. She was his rock. Married at a very early age in life, she had been with him throughout his many years in ministry. When she went to be with the Lord, my friend was lost. He lost his rock. It took a long time for him to get back up from this fall in life.
We had discussion several times over the years, that I was concerened he was spending too much time helping the congregation, that his work was turning into an idol, that the very thing he was trying to achieve was actually the opposite of what was ending up.
A lot of time with his wife was missed. Although he never talked much after his wife's passing, I could tell he had a great deal of regret from this, and has not been the same since.
Don't miss your opportunity God sets before you. Family is not just your spouse or children, it includes all of God's family. We need to balance the hours He has intrusted us with.
P.s. It is not a sin to watch football, it's a sin when football takes you away from our Father...