Am I 'Unclean'?

Mark 7:5 - So the Pharisees and teachers of the law asked Jesus, "Why don't your disciples live according to the tradition of the elders instead of eating their food with 'unclean' hands?"

Mark 7:6 - ... " 'These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. they worship me in vain; their teachings are but rules taught by men.'

Mark 7:15 - ... Rather, it is what comes out of a man that makes him 'unclean.'

I can't sleep. My heart is heavy and I can't really tell you why. There's a lot on my mind - so much that I can't even begin to tell you what is really on my mind. So, since I couldn't sleep, I decided to read God's Word and see what He had to say to me. I'm not good at journaling, so I decided to organize my thoughts here... I guess this is a lot like journaling, right? Hmm...

These verses are the ones that stuck out to me tonight. Mark 7:5 - Well, I know why this one is screaming at me right now. It seems that lately, I (we, as Christians) have become very concerned about being relavent to the unchurched around us in order to reach them for Christ. This is not a bad thing, unless you leave out the most important part - Sharing the Good News. Jesus didn't have the best child care available or the most updated look (or maybe he did... ha!). All he did was love people. He loved by healing, making the lame to walk, making the blind to see, and forgiving people for horrible sins. Because of Him, we are no longer 'unclean.' Where did that mentality go? Ultimately, it is not us reaching the lost, but it is God using us to reach those who don't know Him. So, how are we to reach them? Love them! Reach out to them! Help those in need! Talk to them! Look the cashier in the eye and ask her how her day is! We only need LOVE and the power of God to lead people to Him. Oh, and don't forget, LOTS OF PRAYER! Do what Jesus did and forget about what you or the church looks like.

Mark 7:6 - Man! This one hurts! BAD! These people come to me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. That has to be the worst thing to hear right now. I admit, my quiet times with God are few and far between lately. I have so much on my plate - well, that's probably what you have heard come from my mouth a lot lately. And it's true, but no excuse for not spending quality time with my Savior. It makes me sad... How could I let this happen? It overflows into every aspect of my life. Church feels like work to me - So many demands for childcare gets frustrating, if I am being honest. It seems as though people need childcare at the church's expense at the drop of a hat lately. Again, its not a bad thing. We have a lot going on at church. And, really, its not that I mind offering it, but its the lack of people that want to help out. Setting up childcare for people is the most stressful thing that I do right now. As I read this verse, God told me why - I come to him with my service, but my heart is not in the right place. My heart is in "work" mode and not "service" mode. This is what causes me to get frustrated with every angle that I look at it.

And finally, Mark 7:15 - I complain... A LOT! I'm a complainer. Well, really, I'm not THAT bad, but I do complain. If things aren't going the way I think they should or people are bothering me with the way they do things or even just with the way they are, I spill my guts! Mainly to only one person (and she knows who she is), but I still do it. That's bad character! (Plus, I don't think its healthy for our friendship.) I don't want to be a complainer. I desire to make wise choices, one of them being to keep my mouth shut when its not something encouraging toward whatever or whoever it is I'm talking about. (Disclaimer: Its really not a habit of mine to talk about people behind their back... I promise! Although, I know it sounds very contracting to what I am saying, but trust me, I don't.) So, from now on, I am going to do the very best that I can to try and keep my mouth shut! And I may need your help... prayer AND accountability. :D I do not want to be 'unclean.'

God, you have my heart! I worship you! Allow all I do in service to honor you. Help me to stay focused on the goal - Phillipians 3:14I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Phillipains 2:1-11