I had a
dental appointment this week and after the inevitable injection before a little
drilling the technician said while leaving the room, "I’ll give you a
little time to go numb." Of course this brought up the question, “How much
time does it take to go numb?”
What comes
to mind in a religious sense; is how much time does it take to harden your
heart? How much time does it take before you feel no sense of guilt when you no
longer look to God for guidance, let alone worship him?
I know so
many people who at one time had a love for God and a love for his church; then
unexpectedly it seems that they are no longer interested. They lost their joy; the
joy of gathering with others; to worship the God of the universe. Sometimes I
hear comments such as: "Going to church just doesn't excite me
anymore," "I can worship as
well at home," or "I find God on the lake or golf course."
How long
does it take for someone to go numb? Going numb is when you have a lack of feeling.
Could it be the responsibility of the people or place you have been worshiping?
Possibly it is, but more than likely it is a change in your own heart that has
taken place. Could you be going numb? Maybe you are already there!
The church
at Ephesus was a shining light for God before the people of the world. They
have a whole book of the bible devoted to the church there, most of it
positive. Yet, in Revelation 2:4-5
we read a message from God for them. He says, "But I have this against you, that you left your first
love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen and repent and do the first
works again; or else I come to you, and will move your candlestick out of its
place, unless you repent and return to loving me and putting me first."
How did
that happen? How could this God loving, Mission supporting, Evangelist church
forget God? When did they go numb? The answer is, One day at a time… one
thought at a time… one action at a time and before they knew it they no longer
felt what they had before for God and His church.
How about
you, how are you doing?
