This past Sunday, my pastor used a term that took my mind down that familiar trail of…squirrel!
As I have confessed before these side trips happen often and it is only by God’s grace, I don’t bust out laughing, especially in the middle of church or at work meetings. If only you could live in my mind for a day (okay, an hour), I am pretty sure your empathy and prayers would grow for me! Oh, the word?
Glory Hog.
Isn’t that a funny word…initially? Ready for the side trip?
First, I went to motorcycles. Hogs! As I have heard them referred to, not sure why people or how motorcycles acquired the name hogs. I don’t come from a family that has had any dealings with hogs, either on two wheels or four hooves. Perhaps the name came from rolling around in the mud, maybe like the motor cross ones? If you know how they gained that name please share!
Next, I went to the Muppets Miss Piggy the prima-donna pig who is absolutely convinced that she's destined for stardom, and nothing is going to stand in her way. Glory Hog in the finest!
Then I finally landed with the truth of a Glory Hog as the word was being presented as a person who takes all the glory for themself. Which reminded me of conference calls; see, I told you I chase squirrels for a living. Professional squirrel chaser, that’s me; but I find value in these side excursions! Conference calls. I really *dislike* conference calls. This is bad, because the majority of my day is spent on conference calls. Listening to government officials fight for control of the presence of speaking, for the joy of hearing their voices heard. Interruptions galore and over talking each other…leave me begging for solitary confinement at the end of the day.
As frustrating as those calls are, isn’t it true that we all seek praise for something…anything? Paul David Tripp, the Executive Director of the Center for Pastoral Life and Care in Fort Worth, Texas, says “All of life is geared toward a warfare with idols of the heart.” In other words, we have to battle against life, the things in this life that fight to take our attention and love away from Christ. We human beings are good at making idols out of just about anything, jobs, pets, sports, social media, and yes, our children, families and ourselves. We don’t have to erect a golden calf in the wilderness to have our own golden calves.
Truth hurts. But, truth can also set us free. Yes, what we do or don’t do matters. Yes, God requires obedience and with obedience comes blessings; but it is more than “just doing right”. What matters more is what drives of our obedience. Obedience is necessary and crucial, but is our obedience driven to keep up with appearances or to gain praise? Or is our obedience driven by a heart of love and gratitude? Obedience that doesn’t come from a heart of love, is obedience that is rule driven for Glory Hog purposes of “look what I am doing”. It is usually masked by “I always… or I never…”it is legalistic. It is a sad way to live and it’s a lie, because we are human and we can never “always do” or “never do” anything.
I'm so indebted for the freedom of the gospel. Because I am saved only by grace through faith and not by works, I am free! I cannot earn or merit God's favor, nor can I un-earn His favor by forsaking my duties and responsibilities. It's all grace. My worth is not somehow tied to what I do, thank goodness, because then I would be in control…and that is a scary thought.
I loved what Pastor Craig shared, “God is not looking for people with reformed behavior, but people who love Him more.” Simply put, when we love Him more our desires and behavior will follow.
Thank you Jesus that you came that we might have life and have it abundantly, but help me not to become comfortable in the abundance you have given me. I don’t want to set up idols in your rightful place or fall trapped to believing that I have to earn your favor. It’s grace. Nothing more. All grace. All you Jesus. Your complete work on the cross, nothing of mine (I have none). It is finished and you did it all for the joy that was set before you and I was in that joy, thank you Jesus! I will strive to run, keeping my eyes fixed on you and your finished work on the cross. I love you!
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” – Hebrews 12:1-3
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