The Power Of Neglect

By Author: Terry Dashner
Total Articles: 105
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Faith Fellowship Church, PO Box 1586, Broken Arrow, OK 74013, Pastor Terry Dashner

Neglect is a powerful force

What is the best way to destroy a garden? You could drown it with too much water, or burn it up with too much fertilizer. You could plow it, chop it, burn it, or pull up all the plants by the roots. But why all the sweat? Just leave it alone, and the weeds and insects will do it for you.

What is the best way to destroy a friendship? You could telephone everyone you know and spread malicious rumors about you friend. You could make false accusations directly to your friend. You could borrow from her and fail to repay. You could write her insulting letters. But why all the sweat? Just leave her alone, and neglect will kill the friendship. Act as if she doesn't exist. Forget her telephone number. Look the other way when you meet her.

What is the best way to destroy a church? You could vandalize the building by breaking the windows, shredding the hymnals, painting obscenities on the walls. You could disrupt the worship services, be rude to visitors, or tell all the leaders what ...
... a miserable mess they are making. But why all the sweat? Just live as if your church doesn't exist. Ignore it. Don't go around it. Don't give to it. Don't visit it. That part of the church which is you will gradually die of itself.

I think you get the point.

Yes sir, neglect is a powerful force. Is there anything in your life that you're neglecting? Maybe you should do an inventory of your life, assessing what is important and what is trivial. What about spiritual things? Shouldn't spiritual matters be important enough to make the top of your list? Jesus said that we are to seek the Kingdom of God first, and then the other things will be added. Maybe it's true. Life, for the believer, is all about aligning our priorities. When we take care of the first things the second things will follow naturally.

Remember, Jesus created us to thrive in life. He has given us abundant life in Him. Shouldn't it be a natural thing to put Him first? If so, why are we neglecting prayer, Bible reading, church attendance, tithing, helping our neighbors, and so on and so on? These things are important too. Joy stands for J-Jesus first, O-others second, and Y-yourself last. The only way to spell joy is to put the j first------JESUS!

Keep the faith. Stay the course. Jesus is coming soon!

Pastor T (Matthew 6:33)

About the Author Pastors a small church in Broken Arrow, OK. Writes for enjoyment.