Today, the weather man said it was supposed to get up close to 80F. Tomorrow it will be 85F. Sunday the temperature is supposed to reach 90F. This could be an entry on the accuracy of weather forecasting (or lack thereof), but it is not. It just made me realize how we can become so accustomed to the status quo.
The day I moved from Kansas City the temperature reached 98F. When we got up that morning to go get the moving truck, it was already 80F. And, to be perfectly honest, that 80F didn't feel all that hot. I had been living in Kansas City for 3 years at that point and I was used to hot summers. Then we got to Wisconsin.
The week after we arrived here, the church had already planned to put a new roof on the building. So, I went to help with the roofing project. I'll never forget someone telling me how miserable it was going to be the next day because the temperature was supposed to get up to 82F. I laughed out loud. But today, the thought of the high being even close to 80F is not laughable. I think it is too hot. What changed? I did. I have become used to the lower temperatures here and so my definition of hot weather has changed. I have been acclimated.
I think our tolerance of sin is like getting used to a new climate. There are times when we get so used to seeing sinful behavior that we no longer are even surprised by it. It doesn't bother us in the least. Perhaps the greatest example of this sits in many of our living rooms, the TV. Yes, I watch it too. But I have noticed over the years of my life that what is acceptable to be broadcast has changed for the worse. It used to be an occasional cuss word, now shows seem too innocent if they don't cuss every episode. Even commercials, it used to be you only saw women's undergarments on mannequins, but now we have live models parading these dainty garments in full view.
And you know what concerns me the most? Most of us don't even hear or see it anymore. At best we ignore it, but more likely we accept it as the norm. What happened? Through gradual exposure by the TV execs, we became acclimated. We became used to that which we used to deem unacceptable. Of course, this TV thing is only the most obvious example I could think of that just about all of us share. The principle applies in many other areas of our lives as well.
How do get out of this mess? Those who call themselves Christian need to heed the words given to the church of Ephesus in Revelation 2:4-5: But I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Therefore remember from where you have fallen, and repent and do the deeds you did at first...
If we repent our tolerance of sin and return to our first love, Jesus, we will find a fresh relationship. It will be like the first time you are able to open your windows in the spring and the wonderful aroma that fills your house. It will be fresh and new and lovely.
It is time to re-acclimate ourselves toward God.......
No comments:
Post a Comment