Little Things

Do you ever do the wrong thing?

I don't mean big wrong things, but little ones, like typing the wrong letters or saying the wrong word.  Surely those things happen.  I can't be the only one.

Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 5:19

When Jesus talks about little commandments, he can't be talking about typos and misstatements, can he?

I would hate to be locked out of the Kingdom of Heaven for such a small mistake.

I think that was what Jesus was betting on, that we would want to be included.  Who wants to be the guy left out or anything?

If we really look at the parables and teachings of Jesus, being included was hard work.  It meant leaving family and giving up belongings, sharing with others and having enormous faith.

Add right teaching and keeping all the laws, little and big, and we have an entry exam that makes American Ninja Warrior look easy.  Well, maybe not easy, but you get my point.

Paul told us we need to be in shape for this race, and he was right.

So, how come so many of us fail horribly at the little things, and even some of the big things?

What makes us think that just because Jesus lived, died and returned giving us the Holy Spirit to guide us, that we can slack off?

We act as if we have our ticket and our place in line reserved, so we don't have to worry.  But what if we are wrong about that?

What if all of this is the entrance exam?

We have relaxed our views on the importance of sticking to the little commandments.  Fewer people worry about offending God today than they did when I was a kid.

So, they don't join in worship once the kids are confirmed.  They stay away until they need God.

We like to think God is waiting at the gate for all of us sheep to wander back, and that seems to fit the images we get in the parables, so we wander.

But what if God is not waiting?

What if He is out there among the people watching us walk by, heads down, fingers clicking away on our iPhones?

I like to believe the kingdom is all around us and we are invited to be a part of it now, not after we die.  If that is true, how horrible it would be to have texted away our lives and totally missed the beauty of being alive in the Spirit, a part of God's plan, seeing and hearing His voice in so many ways and places?

You may think me crazy, but I know for a fact that it gets better when we open our eyes and ears to the kingdom's promises, and we decide to take the tests, to be a part of the world God created.

It's the little things that matter most.  So, what do you say?  Will you stop worrying about the unimportant things and start setting an example of love and faith?

If we don't, what are we teaching others about ourselves?  We might just be doing what Jesus warns us not to do.  The little commandments we break may be seen as setting the example to teach others to do the same.

And while we are so busy avoiding the kingdom, we will be failing to enter it.

More to come...