Scripture

Our verse for today comes from John 16:14, “He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you.”

Background

Some time ago, after my wife and I dropped off our daughter at her dance class, we had an hour or so to kill before we needed to pick her up. So we decided to spend the time like any other middle-aged couple would spend it – we went to Sheetz. I had never really been to one before, and a new one had opened up fairly close to our house. So we headed there to fill up the car with gas, get myself a Sheetz card, and use a couple of the food coupons we had received in the mail. Now most of you probably know how the food works there, but my wife and I were complete rookies. So it was an adventure figuring out how to use the touch screens to order the food and how to get it all paid for while using the coupons. But what anyone would realize immediately is the Sheetz gimmick or trademark of putting a “z” on the end of their words. We could order one of their coffeez, hot or cold subz, nachoz, chicken stripz, fryz, and so on. You could even apply for jobz. It’s a catchy way for them to put their stamp on everyday, common items. But even in the time that we were there, I noticed that I stopped paying attention to their unique spellings. If you’ve been there a few times or seen their commercials more than once or twice, then you probably don’t give it a second thought, either.

Application

That’s the problem with gimmicks and fads. By their very nature they are doomed to irrelevance. That’s one of many reasons why our worship and commitment to Christ must be focused and centered on Him and not on particular methods or techniques. Basing our service to Him on the latest trend or the most popular styles might work for a season. But Christ does not promise His power to any particular method. He works through His Spirit to bring glory and honor to His Father. Nothing else really matters to Him. Not the colorz or the methodz or the stylez or our preferencez. We might not truly grasp that, much like my wife and I struggled with the Sheetz menu. But we must realize that only Christ can accomplish anything that matters for eternity and His glory.

Charge

As we seek Him today, ask God to help you get back to the basicz, whatever they might be for you. Confess to Him where you have elevated the creation above the Creator.

Salvation – Eternal Life in Less Than 150 Words