Worship as you read this devotion by pressing the arrow.
Song: Desperation Band Promises
Scripture
‘These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship is a farce, for they teach man-made ideas as commands from God.’ “For you ignore God’s law and substitute your own tradition.” Mark 7:7
Observation
Littered across the salt pan of the Arizona deserts are scattered tree logs toasting in the sun. Don’t try to build a night time fire with them to warm yourself from the desert chill, for this is petrified wood. The trees once full of carbon molecules were transformed one drip at a time into stone. What was living was replaced by what is dead.
The same happens in any vital relationship with Christ. There is a trickle through effect that replaces what is real and vital with what is inert.
How does it happen?
In one scenario, a maverick spiritual leader centuries ago read the Bible and called Christians back to a vibrant relationship with God just as the early Christians knew. During that first generation the children of that movement read the Bible and experienced the fire of God. But as one generation gave way to the next, the children and grandchildren quoted the founder rather than going to the foundation in the Bible. Now when the Bible is read adherents want to know how their founder would have interpreted the verse rather than how the Holy Spirit is speaking to them today. It’s petrified wood.
In another scenario, a trend setting pastor discovers the secrets of bringing large numbers of unchurched people to Christ and into the church. There are conferences, books, magazines, DVDs, podcasts and more. Young leaders immerse themselves in the right blogs and imitate everything from preaching to hairstyles. The magazine graphics look cutting edge, but it is petrified wood because group think has replaced the Holy Ghost.
Application
How can I keep the fibers of my relationship with God fresh and alive? How can I keep my ministry from calcifying? The answer is simple: keep close to the source. Be careful not to marinate too long in anything other than the Bible. Read the writings of great historical figures. Enjoy the expansive thoughts of contemporary thinkers. But always keep close to the source. The more we nourish what God is growing in our hearts with what is fresh from the Lord the less likelihood we have of replacing good wood with stone.
Prayer
Father, I’m not sure I can see the petrified parts of my relationship with you as Jesus can. While he was on the earth he could see what no one else could. Give me eyes to see it now in my own life. Amen.
