A Bubble Parable
We find ourselves in this bubble, totally oblivious to the lives of others around us, bouncing along, not sure where we are going and what we're going to do when we get there. Along the way there are road signs, and flashing lights, and pointing index fingers, "Go this way", "Go That". I'm beginning to think my bubble will burst.
It's kinda hard to see clearly when the rays of different colours, beam off the edge of the bubble, temporary blinding us and making it very difficult to depend on your own intuition to make it through.
As I look into the others bubbles, I see a variety of reactions and expressions. Some lay calmly, almost asleep as their bubbles bounce over rocks, make last minute detours around rivers and just about miss huge, frightening trucks. Others, scream, throw fits and weep over the tiniest little stone.I see others with a determined expression, ready for anything, yet those very same people crash and bump, yet it doesn't seem to phase them. They're quite content having bruises all over!!? And then there are the inbetweeners, sort of similar to me... that see the rock ahead, am about to get scared, but then begin to trust and the bubble gently avoids the rock. Amazed I will rejoice, and wonder why I didn't trust in the first place, only to see the next rock and freak out.
Enough about bubbles, Where do you find yourself in life? Which bubble do u find yourself in? You see there's a part of this story that I've left out. The part that determines, where you're going, and exactly how the road is to there. You, See there was more than just people in bubbles in this story, and though it seemed that everything was left to chance, or coincidence, Someone greater than all those people and all those bubbles and all the rocks along the way was there and was in control of it all. The people who took matters in their own hands found the challenges were to great for the them. The people who rested in the knowledge that their lives are not their own sailed smoothly through most challenges. They weren't without trials, but the trials didn't master them. Still others, lived in Fear and the smallest test became a gigantic problem, while some who were still overcoming their fear as they saw the moment they trusted, they made through whatever they were going through.
The bottom line is when you find yourself in a bubble:
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
Proverbs 3: 5 - 6
If Hell was a club, would u go???
Written on 28 January
Today the question was asked again " Is it okay to go to a club, if you're going for a specific reason, and you don't drink, smoke or lust after the opposite sex?"
I responded after explaining my view by saying "If hell was a club, would you go, if you didn't drink or smoke when you're there, or if you only went once in a while, would it make it okay"
Technically speaking, being inside a club is not a sin, God hasn't crossed your name of the list, you aren't less saved than you were the day before, it isn't on the list of the 10 commandments. But what goes on inside clubs, and influences you are exposed to could lead to sin& and the bible is very clear on what you should do with temptation. FLEE!
So now, it's your work final function, or some friend's final singing audition or your friend from overseas insists that you take her out, and you find yourself in a CLUB. Now what, have I messed up. Am I backslidden? To that let me remind you, Christianity isn't a religious thing. When you a make a decision not to club you are setting boundaries. Overstepping a boundary isn't always sin but the reason you set those boundaries in place was to keep you from sin.
In a scenario where you've decided you don't club and you do, take ownership, don't give in to condemnation, admit you were wrong and purpose in your heart not to do it again, and then live that.
At this point some of you may be feeling, why is this woman having such an issue with clubbing, so I've decided to incorporate some reasons why I believe Christians should not club.
Giving God your life, not adding God to your life.
A lot of people, make a commitment to the Lord, but when you look at the results or fruit of that commitment you see that that person's life is pretty much the same as it has always been, they just talk about God more, pray more, go to church more. But all the things they did before the commitment they still do. This is what I call adding God to your life. And this is not what God says in His word about Him and you. He says: Whoever finds his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.God wants you to lose your life. To die to your ways, and to begin to live His ways. Give God your life. And start finding out how to live life the way it was meant to be. God''s way.
Ministry - Your Testimony
This is an ouch one, because many a youth leader is seen or spotted in a clubs. And though they don't hear or care to hear the comments, comments are made. " Is sy nie bekeer nie, nou hoekom is sy hier" Try leading that person to the Lord after them seeing you there. I can guarantee you it won't be easy. And that's the reality. You are called to be set apart, different and as a Christian leader you can't afford to find yourself in places like that, because it becomes a stumbling to other to-be-saved people in the club. Also you may not have done anything wrong while being there, it may just be a glass of coke in your hand, but if your mere presence in a club is enough to make someone doubt your salvation or is a hindrance to people trusting you or wanting salvation. Then definitely youth leader, that is not where you meant to be.
Wife of Lot, Don't look back!
Galations 4:9 says very clearly "But now that you know God- or rather are known by God-how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable princinples?Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again?" What was your life like before you got saved. Did you club, did you like to fit in? Were you always at the latest scene? Did you always know the latest moves. If that is what you were saved out of, why do you want to go back. Do you really think that going just once, will prevent you from falling back into the trap God delivered you from, Do you think that just a sip of poison won't harm you?Lot's wife looked back, and turned into a pillar of salt. Lets not go back to where you came from.
Don't be misled:Bad company corrupts good character."
Yes, this scripture is in the bible, 1 Corinthians 15:44. Theres another saying that goes like this : You are who you rub shoulders with. Another scripture in 2 Corinthians 6:14 - 7:1
All I can say is HECTIC:
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever. What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God and they will be my people. Therefore come out from them and be separate" says the Lord." Touch no unclean thing and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty. Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverance for God.
God has made you new. You are being renewed by the word. But Bad company will corrupt your good character and you will eventually have the same attributes and attitudes that the general clubbing crowd has. God calls us to be separate!
I'm not doing it!
I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't go with the intention to pick up a chick, I don't date rape, I don't do drugs, I don't have wrong motives. Yes you don't, but there are people at the clubs who do, and there are people who are hurt and affected by those who do too and if you're still going despite knowing that that's what happens there, you're basically saying that it's ok. Cause if it isn't ok, why are you there? Why are u supporting an institution that does more harm than good. Even though it's not happening to you, it's still happening and we need to make a stand and steer clear of places and STOP supporting places in which satan steals, kills and destroys! Remember, although you aren't doing it, people are doing it and by you being there, you are condoning it.
In conclusion?.
The Narrow and Wide Gates.
Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only few find it. Matthew 7: 13 - 14?
Also see Luke 13:22 - 30(MUST READ)
Only few find the narrow road. I want to find the narrow road, the one that leads to life. The one that leads to Jesus. He is the only way and our aim as Christians is to bring glory to His name. Everything we do, we say and we think should reflect our desire to please God. We are new creations, the old has gone, the new has come. We have a new way of life, new standards, new goals, a new direction! It's all about HIM!
If you need any more convincing that clubbing does nothing but derail you from your true purposes make a list of all the pro's and cons of clubbing. You can basically conclude that it does more harm than good. With that said, Why Club? Why compromise? Why even consider it? It just aint worth it. Let's turn our backs on the past, choose the narrow road, lose our lives and Live to bring Him GLORY.
