scattered, smothered and covered

Psalms 46:10 10 “Be still, and know that I am God.I will be exalted among the nations,I will be exalted in the earth!”

One of my favorite foods during college was hash browns scattered, smothered and covered. For all of you that have missed this delicacy, it means that the hash browns are scattered on the grill, smothered with onions and covered with cheese. Definitely not the healthiest meal, but as my dad says "It will keep your hair shiny".

When I look at my life and others around me I see one of a dizzying pace. Technology has enveloped us with its advancements. Many of these breakthroughs are helpful and allow us to be more productive children of the most high God. But like anything else, anything that man creates will have a strong possibility of keeping us from God if we are not in tune with the Spirit. What am I talking about and what does this have to do with scattered, smothered and covered hash browns? Here is what I see:

Scattered: Is there anyone besides me that battles every day to remain focused. Work, kids activities, quiet time, small group, church, kid's school events, work,missions and oh yeah I need to model Christ to all those and most importantly to my family.

Smothered: How about this occurrence? hundreds of emails a day, dozens of texts and calls, immediate news through thousands of web pages, hundreds of TV and radio channels all modeled out to make sure that there is always something that will hold your attention no matter your age and lifestyle.

Covered: Debt? The slavery to a job that you might not enjoy. Saying yes sir to the man who you might not enjoy working under. What about all of the sin that keeps you weighed down: hatred, greed, lust, pride, anxiety,covetousness, unforgiveness, gossip and on and on?

So what are we to do? Are we helpless? Yes..we are completely helpless.

Until we come to the end of ourselves, be still, cease striving and sit down at the foot of the cross and worship Jesus. That is our only hope, and I am not talking about fitting a two minute slot into the Berserker-like pace of 2010. I am talking about following and worshipping Christ who has conquered all and sat down on His throne. His work is done. He has conquered all. It is indeed finished! Until we realize that we can not do it ourselves, we will agonize as we try to mimic him in our weak flesh.

So if you have never done it. Stop and ponder the God of the universe bleeding for you in Love and allow you heart to marinate in that Grace. Then sit down, turn the world off and from the Heart praise Him. Until we truly do this, we are doomed to feel scattered smothered and covered. Only the power of the Cross can bring true joy and peace into our hearts. For years I struggled to do it on my own and tried to include God in my battle. The Gospel is allowing Christ to battle for you.