What God Says

Well, today was an interesting today. I'm struggling with allergies (or an oncoming cold) but had a commitment to sing at The Church on Turtle Creek in Dallas, so I took some cold medication and went to sing. We ended up singing thirteen songs. I also had a solo, I Can Only Imagine, to do during the offering time. The pastor preached a good sermon and asked if I would come back and sing that same song again. Then he did something of an alter call and asked if I would sing that same song a third time!

After that, it rolled into something best described as a charismatic prayer time --- with everyone praying and me (and the band) singing I Can Only Imagine for about another 15-20 minutes. It was spiritual, but definitely not what I am used to. I was exhausted and the cold medication had worn off. I couldn't help but wonder if what I was feeling or thinking would be what God would want me to think or feel. There isn't any stark contrast between the two. I'm just wondering what God expects of an overworked singer who has a cold! What is the God-honoring response in that situation?

God has been working on me this weekend especially. One of the things He's been talking to me about is the connection between problems in my life and my sin. I know that seems like an obvious point. But the problems are issues with my children. You see, they are very errant --- all three of them. My wife and I struggle through how to parent them. One thing I never can let go of is the demonic influence in their life. But then this weekend, God starts to focus me on the connection between demonic influences in my children's lives and sinful choices that I make. It's a very sobering thing to focus on.

Lord, I am so sorry for my sin. There are days when I feel like the world's worst sinner. There are days when I feel like I'm numb to my own sin. Why does it grieve me so on some days and not so much on others? I don't understand that. To be honest, I guess I want to always be terribly grieved by my own sin. The sadness of my poor choices should never be lost on me. Help me, Father, to take my sin as seriously as you do. Amen.