A House Divided

A personal story from my wife's family, a house divided.  Anyone from Chicago knows the seriousness of the rivalry between the Cubs & White Sox.  It's kind of like how important basketball is to us Hoosiers.

Sad to report, my brother-in-law and father-in-law are Sox fans.  Their house is divided.  Truth is, the rivalry is actually a lot of fun. While I am a Cubs fan, I don't watch much, especially after the dismantling of the Cubs.  What were the owners thinking about?

Scripture says that "the love of money" is the root of all evil.  My wife's family, while divided on sports has a lot going for it.  It is slightly (actually WAY) different from mine.  My wife's family has given lessons to me both good and bad, but most importantly they have taught me how to have each others back.  I'm grateful for that.  Jesus prayer to the Father, at the end of His time on earth in the flesh, was that, "we may all be one."

As I have said, I believe the prayer of Jesus Will NEVER be answered until we start at home.  Not the home; as in where we grew up, rather the home which is a journey from the head to the heart.  This road is fraught with lots of obstacles,

like: our hurts, our shame at own behaviors, our attachments to harmful things like drugs, sex, and money.  This journey, however is one that we all must take if we are to, "enter into the Kingdom", which as Jesus said is "at hand".  Think about that "at hand".  It means the Kingdom is within reach!  It's actually real simple to grasp it.  Just take the journey from the head to the heart.  I assure you, we all can do it.  Why?  It is the Father's will!  It is true that the journey is impossible for us alone, but we are not alone.  Simply ask for help, not from Google.  Ask for His grace.  It WILL come once we all realize we can't do it alone.  Speaking of The Father, I believe His patience with us is nearing the end.

It does not take much pondering to know that the "love" of money really is the root of all evil.  Nor does it take much to see the division and the battle which is taking place today.  It really is plain to see, IF you are willing to put the electronics down, cool it on the drugs and drink, stop putting money in the place of the Father.

I said His patience with us is nearing its end.  I believe that.  If you are unable to see the battle, or have yet to make a decision whose side you are on, dare I say the time is short.  Who will you and your household choose?

Last question:  Where is the division and the battle lines?  Where are those who have made the decision for either good or evil, where are those who are still sitting on the fence and have yet to choose, or have failed to make their priorities right?  

"The Lord requires only this.  To do what is right, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with your God."  Micah 6:8 

A clue: the good and the evil, those still blind and those who see.  They are us.  They live in our homes.  They work in our churches and places of business.  They administrate our towns, cities, nations, and our world.  The real evil ones.  They see very clearly.  The battle IS on!  Thanks be to God in Jesus Christ, we already know the outcome and so do they.