When I was studying in Sheffield, one day a friend said to me, “Bert, you’re running around like a headless chicken.” I was totally offended. First of all, my legs are nothing like chicken legs. But that aside, here I was, doing my best, trying to get things at church organised, while balancing my masters degree, and my friend had the audacity to say i’m running around like a headless chicken?! Why the nerve!
After the initial offense wore off, i realised that my friend was right. I was so busy running around doing stuff, i’d forgotten why and what I was doing it for. In fact, i’d very quickly lost my purpose in life — and more than that, i’d somehow convinced myself that I was the only answer to the situation.
As Alexander Chow was preaching this Sunday, I was reminded just how hard it is to abide in Christ. Usually a good sign that I’m not abiding is when I find myself frustrated at someone, a growing sense of irritation with people, or a bitter attitude to those around me. It’s normally indicative of the fact that I have been trying to live and love others on my own strength – instead of living and loving God first.
This week i’ve been realising that my first love isn’t serving the church, or leading a cell group, or preaching — my first love should be God. It’s amazing you know. As soon as God becomes the focus, and we let him love us, then the things that used to trouble us, don’t become so painful, and everything seems to be okay again.
But i suppose the hard part is abiding in him.
I for one, am going to stop, pause, and make sure that I stay.
That’s the beginning to loving him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.
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This was the second in a series on 1 John. You can find the message as well as the worship at the BCEC Sermon Page or listen to the sermon directly – 1 John 2:12-27.