Luke 24: 11 "But these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them." (ESV)
When a child comes to you and begins to share the unbelievable stuff of imagination, how do you respond? Hannah has an incredible ability to take some little seed thought and expand it into a jungle adventure. I don't know how many times I've played along by becoming an elephant or bear or monkey. Other times, unfortunately, I haven't been so apt to play along. I figure that a rain check on the make believe tea party at Cinderella's castle might actually cancel the engagement; I think, "maybe she'll forget all about it."
I hesitate to wonder how many times I've taken the things of God as an idle tale? Don't get me wrong, I believe the Bible is true. I'll even stand on the side of inerrancy. But the fact is, if something of Scripture slips through my mind without appropriate application and life-change, I've really only taken it as an idle tale. I'm treating the Word no different than a child's day-dream.
"OK, I'll play along for a little while, but after dinner I need to get back to adult stuff--the real important stuff."
"OK, I'll play along on Sunday, but Monday through Friday I'll be busy with work. Oh, and on Saturday, well, that's my only day for me..."
"No, I can't play right now; maybe later (yeah, and maybe He will forget)."
You know, life with Jesus is real life. It is the only life. It affects every bit of life. Unless, that is, we treat Jesus as an idle tale. Pray for me today, that I'm not just playing along for Jesus' sake, but that my life, leadership, and ministry will be real because of Jesus and not make-believe to appease Jesus. I'll be praying the same for you.
Before you pray and go on this morning, back up and read Luke 21:34-36. It says more in light of the above thoughts.
Jesus is life!
