Catch Up

As mentioned last week we're gearing up for the Fall and getting ready to 2012.  A good deal of my activity right now has to do with what are called, "Church Systems."  It refers to things like ushering, greeting, follow up, leadership training and a whole array of areas that keep a local congregation moving forward.

Most of us have systems in our lives that keep things moving ahead smoothly.  I enjoy gardening.  A system that I have in my life is that certain things need to happen during specific times during the year for my yard and garden to do what they're supposed to do - LOOK NICE.

Yes, I know I'm shouting.

If I don't stay on top of this system, bad things happen; weeds grow out of control and I end up playing catch up all Summer long.  On top of that, if I'm playing catch up and take a week off away from home for vacation, that puts me waaaay behind.

Think of your child and your relationship with them.  They don't need a parent playing "catch up" with them; they need someone who is ever present, guiding them and helping them toward maturity in every way.  A child's success in life is directly influenced by their catching and applying the excellent counsel and wisdom - or the neglect and poor life skills - that we pour into them.

God doesn't play catch up with us.  He is ever present.  His counsel and wisdom are unmatched.  Are we listening?  Or do we find ourselves making the same mistakes over and over again, trying to play catch up in our listening?

My puny thoughts on these questions are to simply sit at our Lord's feet, hear Him speak into our hearts, and begin to voraciously get into what He is saying to us through His Word.  Be in church and Bible study to be under teaching that encourages and grows you up in the faith.  Oh yes, pick a translation of the Bible you can understand.  It will make all the difference!   And all of this is a life system worth keeping up on.  Your life and that of others who are watching you depend on it...