HomeWord - July 16, 2014
Status Quo
This devotional was written by Doug Fields
But I fear that somehow your pure and undivided devotion to Christ will be corrupted, just as Eve was deceived by the cunning ways of the serpent. —2 Corinthians 11:3
Status quo. That’s the life we’re drawn toward living. For most of us, it’s not that life is always a walk in the park, where the skies are never cloudy and it never rains on our parade. But, status quo appears easier. It doesn’t take courage, risk, or passion. We become comfortable with our own small and selfish agendas and don’t want to upset our apple carts. Status quo seems safe.
When you settle for living status quo, your salt loses its flavor, your light begins to dim, and inside you want something more. Why? It’s because we’ve settled for something less than God desires for us. Jesus didn’t live and die so that we could live status quo. He came to give us life to the fullest. Real life begins when we reject the lie that status quo is safe and choose a life of devotion to Jesus.
Let me say it clearly: I, Doug Fields, want to be devoted to Jesus. I don’t want to be devoted to religion or Christianity. I want to be devoted to Jesus; I want to align my life as best I can with the radical, upside down, inside out, teachings of Jesus, because I know that He knows what is best. This is what I want for you too.
Devotion to Jesus makes people come alive inside. Devotion to Jesus shatters the status quo. Devotion to Jesus causes people to be real change agents in this world. Devotion to Jesus is the salt that enhances and preserves the world, and it is the light that illuminates the darkness. Devotion to Jesus creates peace and joy in your heart and provides contentment in the midst of a crazy economy and a lousy job market. Devotion to Jesus is the foundation to build your life upon.
Do you want a strong foundation? Look at how Jesus describes it: “Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock.” —Matthew 7:24-25 NLT
In contrast, Jesus goes on to tell about what happens when we ignore Him in our lives: “But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash.” —Matthew 7:26-27 NLT
One of the things I love about God is that He gives us a choice. Yet, the choice is clear: Devotion to Jesus leads to real life, building it on a solid foundation. Ignore Him and you’ll settle for the status quo, putting your life in peril, and in danger of collapse.
GOING DEEPER:
1. How would you describe signs of living status quo in your life?
2. How does your life reflect devotion to Jesus?
FURTHER READING:
John 10:9-10; Matthew 5:13-16; Matthew 7:13-14
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