City Life Starter

Written by Paul Lane

The Word

17 Jesus said to his disciples: “Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. ² It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of these little ones to stumble. ³ So watch yourselves.

“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them. ⁴ Even if they sin against you seven times in a day and seven times come back to you saying ‘I repent,’ you must forgive them.”

⁵ The apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith!”

Luke 17:1-5

⁶⁷ Then Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you also want to go away?”

⁶⁸ But Simon Peter answered Him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. ⁶⁹ Also we have come to believe and know that You are the ^[e]Christ, the Son of the living God.”

John 6:67-68

Reflection

I often ask people what they would do if I gave them $10,000,000,000.  Today I’d like to tell you one of the things I would do.  I would create a foundation and an award for innocence.  I have often thought of what it would take to create such an award.  What would I use for criteria?  Would people apply for it, or would I just look out into the world and find someone who met my secret standard?  Would it only go to children, and would they have to do something incredibly outstanding?

For this devotional, I did some searching on the internet for innocence and it was very disappointing.  So much of the “innocence” on the internet is anything but innocent.  So much of what is out there is the exact stumbling blocks that Jesus was talking about.  Woe to such souls indeed.  It was quite depressing, but I did stumble upon someone who I think would be a great candidate for such an award.  A girl named Gabby Gomez left a post on YouTube talking about innocence and her struggle with our current society.  I think her post is pitch perfect.  In the middle of an internet full of stumbling blocks, here is a little one intent on being in the world and not of the world.  I would say that’s worth an award.

The problem is that Jesus tells us not to seek an award.  In all honesty, this is the part that makes me say, “Lord, increase my faith.”  I always want to be rewarded for my work.  If I win a race, build something great, wash the dishes, or make the bed.  I always want the crowd to cheer and say, “Well done.  That was amazing.”  After all, is there not a great crowd of witnesses cheering us on?  Why should we have to wait until heaven to hear those voices?

Well, there is a voice that we should always listen for.  We have a shepherd whose voice we are to recognize.  It is a voice of calm and a voice of command.  It brings comfort, courage, and correction.  It leads us on, assures our steps, and thwarts the darkness that pursues us.  It is full of the grace that is sufficient for us.  We must remember that it is better to obey God’s voice and do the things He tells you than to seek a crown through sacrifice.  The quest for you is, is God’s grace and approval enough for you?

Application

Jesus said to the disciples, “You don’t want to leave to do you?” Peter responded, “Lord, to whom shall we go?  You have the words of eternal life.”  So, ask yourself if there are any crowns you have in your life that are higher that the one that Jesus wears.  Is there an approval that you hold in higher esteem that God’s approval?  If there are, pray about them and trust God to change your heart.  I think that as you pursue a right standing before God you will find that innocence is a very special thing, and something greatly to be desired.  But it is not so much found in the list of accomplishments, but rather in the time spent in the presence of the Lord.

Prayer

¹⁰Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.

Psalms 51:10-12