| Are We “Open For Business?” |
| I remember that some years ago I traveled nearly across the country, by car, in about fifty hours, including an eight-hour rest stop in Oklahoma. This trip came about because my son-in-law needed to travel from California to New Jersey for a new job, arriving before my daughter and two granddaughters to secure their new home in New York. He was determined to drive straight through to New York, so I supported him by keeping him company, and occasionally took a turn driving. This was actually my first time driving across the United States and I was excited to see our Country. Unfortunately, I failed to take into account the short time frame of the trip, which meant that much of my sightseeing was in the middle of the night! The largest discovery of the trip was the difference between West Coast city darkness and Midwest, “middle of nowhere” darkness. In our heavily populated SoCal area, lights are prevalent nearly everywhere throughout the night. But in the rural, less-populated areas of the central portion of the US, the absence of city lights created the sense of being in a closed-off closet. Driving along, seeing primarily only what showed up in the headlights, seemed to emphasize loneliness and turned my thoughts inward. But, on occasion, the darkness would be thwarted by the appearance of lights shining in the distance, representing an opportunity to stop to refuel both the car and our senses, if it was open, which wasn’t always the case. One such opportunity came as we were traveling through an area of highway that curved through low foothills of forest. Both the foothills and their trees obscured any lights until we happened upon them and were in danger of missing the exit. I remember the relief I felt as we exited the highway, and then the joy of discovering a small diner located next to the gas station. Driving into the lot and seeing that neon “Open” sign brightly shining, rejuvenated our dull spirits, while the hot breakfast and endless coffee re-ignited our minds. Reflecting back upon that episode of my life, I am reminded of the words of Jesus, found in the Gospel of John chapter 14, as He gave reassurance to His Apostles and peace for their hearts. “26 But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” We know that whenever a person believes and declares Jesus Christ as both their Lord and Savior, they instantly receive the Holy Spirit, the Counselor, into their lives. His work is to continue to remind us that He will never leave us alone, that we belong to the Family of God, and that He will guide us into a lifestyle that is both God-honoring and beneficial for our lives. However, I recognize that not all who come to Jesus will continue in the initial joy they will experience, nor recognize the true purpose of their commitment to Him. This also reminds me of another of Jesus’ teachings, what the Bible calls “The Parable of the Sower.” The account found in Matthew 13 is particularly interesting in regard to our culture today. In this lesson, Jesus warns His disciples of His concern for the state of our hearts. His words still ring true.15 For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed” their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’16 But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. 17 For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it. 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.” We can see the correlation between verse 15, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes” and verse 20, “….someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy” but because they don’t care to establish roots in Christ, “they quickly fall away.” 21 Verse 22 applies as well, “someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful.” This can happen to anyone who is not firmly anchored in Christ. Yes, even believers can be distracted from time to time. We all must remain vigilant, secure in Jesus, by the work of the Holy Spirit that dwells within each of us. We are continually being loved and inspired by Him through prayer, God’s word, teaching, and fellowship. So then, let us all strive to be teachable each day, as the Holy Spirit seeks to open our hearts and minds. – Pastor Ernie Vilchis  |
