“So whatever you believe about these things keep between yourself and God. Blessed is the one who does not condemn himself by what he approves.” Romans 14:22

Our Church has the honorable opportunity and duty of standing on the corner of a MAJOR street corner and holding signs proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We do this twice a week, for an hour each time, and have done so for almost a year. This last time I came VERY close to my own zapacution!

Because we have been there so often, and because MUCH of the traffic is the same with folks commuting to or from work, they KNOW WHO we are and WHY we are there. Standing there last Friday, a big plastic bag came slowly blowing by me. For an inanimate object it appeared casual and unassuming! It was doing a good job of it too, because I almost didn’t notice that it was just plain old trash! That is until that ‘still small voice’ called to me from the inside! “Pick it up!”

Had I been a drug dealer or a prostitute plying my trade on the corner, my actions and personal presence would have loudly stated to passers-by that I ‘personally’ APPROVED both behaviors. My actions would have advertised the condition of my heart. Because there are laws against those things, I could have been condemned by a Judge for breaking those laws! Ignoring sauntering trash bags is NOT a crime! Or is it?

I am not my own. I have been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20)! Because of that fact, my Master has the right to ask anything of me that matters to HIM. Within a few nanoseconds, and as only the Holy Spirit can do, the complete courtroom transcript was opened before my heart and I understood my guilt… before I had even caused an infraction! I reached down and grabbed the guilty evidence and put it in it’s place!

There would have been NO excuse. Everyone watching ‘the Christian’ on the corner as he watched trash roll by could have made a somewhat legitimate claim that Christians are hypocrites! And even though we are, our Master prefers we not blatantly advertise it! ESPECIALLY since He is working hard at eradicating all SORTS of trash from MY life.

The older I get the more easily I can see the tiny stuff. Today’s Bible verse opens another whole area of condemnation that, before Jesus, I didn’t even KNOW about. When I ‘let go’ or ‘ignore’ evidence that typically labels an infraction, my personal APPROVAL condemns me and ZAPS me ‘as if’ I actually DID the thing! And here’s the WORST part! It labels my MASTER as a co-conspirator! Now THAT is some NASTY TRASH!

What is God trying to clean up in YOUR life? 

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24

It was a long Holiday weekend and Katie and I found ourselves WITH ourselves. It had been a while since we had ridden our Tandem Bicycle and, since the weather was beautiful, we decided, together, to go for a long ride to somewhere we had not ridden before. Taking our usual positions, with me in the front and her in the back, we headed off on our little adventure. Which, for one of us, proved to be more than expected!

We mostly stuck to the bike trail and followed the rules, “stay to the right” and “holler out before passing on the left.” With my cautious wing-woman behind me, we never ONCE needed to follow the 2^nd rule! Apparently my more adventurous spirit stood out because she made the comment, “I notice you look AROUND more than you look FORWARD!” I guess slow and easy gives one more time to enjoy the scenery! Until!!!

Winding down the trip we needed to cross the main 6 lane highway. Since we had, what had been, a full head of steam…AND since, in my opinion, approaching cars were far enough away, I headed for the center of the road! This proved too much danger for Katie and she let out a scream, ”AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” This did not bother me because, while she was voicing her concern, she at least kept peddling! Even more vociferously!

I HAVE to admit that the story is more funny to ME than it is to HER! Having not gotten anywhere NEAR the point where the cars needed to apply brakes, I knew we were safe! Katie? Not so much! She got off the bike and walked by herself for a while! Which, I have to admit, is often MY go-to move when it comes to walking with Jesus!

Jesus pointed out that in our travels together as Savior and ‘the saved,’ we WOULD be encountering dangers, trouble, persecutions and peril! He even, in this verse today, gave me the opportunity to voice my travel requests along the way! But, because we are in the middle of an adventure, I have noted that He has never ONCE offered to TRADE ME PLACES!

Like my wing-woman, I want certainty spelled out and precautions taken. I want road signs that tell me, and everyone else, EXACTLY where to go AND with a 100% guarantee of safety upon arrival. In other words, I don’t want ANY ”AHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” moments! Which is NOT His style!

Apparently Jesus knows something I don’t! And He wants to share the fact that my JOY will TRULY be complete after I go THROUGH the journey WITH all the perils and dangers overcome! After spending enough time riding behind Him, I can certify that Jesus ABSOLUTELY knows HOW to make my eyes widen, the hairs on the back of my neck to stand up and my voice to quake. But admittedly… I like it!

Are YOU BOLDLY committed to following the Master?