2/17/12

Task At Hand

I'd probably have booked another wedding, if I woulda stayed off facebook today. Seriously. 
After vowing to give up political jibberish as one of my New Year's Resolutions, I posted this status update this morning, mind you it's only February 17. Fail. 
"Politics are not the task of the believer. ~ Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Whether the quote is true or not doesn't it beg the question, "What is the task of the believer?" 72 comments, an afternoon visitor, 2 pots of coffee and a 1/2 bottle of wine later I've come to believe that some did not understand what I meant. 
Let me be clear---politics, nor a myriad of other distractions, should not be the main task of the believer. Does that make sense? 
Still begs the question, What is the task of the believer?
So I circle around, yet again and hunker down to do the works of my Father.  No more excuses, no discussion or distractions. And I promise, no more political talk. May have to drive up to MI for the primary, though. 


As hard as I search the Word, I don't see much about politics.  Render unto Ceasar's what is Ceasars... is about it. 


Besides the Top Ten, there aren't a whole lot of commands/tasks in the Bible.  But when you do get to the biggies in the New Testament they come with authority and have the high price of Jesus suffering  attached. 


I ask myself yet again, WDIMWIS. (What Does It Mean When It Says) The answer comes back loud and clear.


1. James 1:27  Religion that God the Father accepts as pure and without fault is this: caring for orphans or widows who need help, and keeping yourself free from the world's evil influence.
2. Mark 12:30, 31  Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength  The second command is this: 'Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There are no commands more important than these.
3. Matthew 28:16-20  Then Jesus came to them and said, "All power in heaven and on earth is given to me. So go and make followers of all people in the world. Baptize them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.  Teach them to obey everything that I have taught you, and I will be with you always, even until the end of this age.
4. 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22   Live in peace with each other. We ask you, brothers and sisters, to warn those who do not work. Encourage the people who are afraid. Help those who are weak. Be patient with everyone.  Be sure that no one pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to do what is good for each other and for all people.
Always be joyful. Pray continually, and give thanks whatever happens. That is what God wants for you in Christ Jesus.
Do not hold back the work of the Holy Spirit. Do not treat prophecy as if it were unimportant. But test everything. Keep what is good, and stay away from everything that is evil.


These then, are the tasks of the believers.


Have a great week-end, Love ya Nic!


Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. Colossians 3:16


PS We saw a pair of robins today!



5 comments:

Kathy Schwanke said...

Amen. Love it!
I like the end of Ecclesiastes also.
Fear God and keep His commandments. That is the whole duty of man. <3

Cindee Snider Re said...

We do get a little sidetracked by issues that aren't the "main" thing, don't we? Love that you heard robins this morning in your neck of the woods. Maybe soon they'll return to mine. :)

Sandra Heska King said...

Like Cindee says, it's so easy to get distracted.

Love. That's our main task. By keeping our focus on Him. You've explained this all so well, Julee.

I'm so thrilled to meet you, explore your site, and have you join up with Still Saturday!

No robins here yet, though another Michigander saw one a couple weeks ago. Silly bird.

Anonymous said...

Love it when I see robins - the sign of spring and new life coming around the corner.

Patricia said...

I've been missing some great posts here, Julee Ann. I've got you in my reader now. Won't miss you any more! =)