Day 22 - Week 4 Day 1 Blind

Today's reading (Bible in 1 year)

Genesis 31:43 - end of 32
Psalm 20
Isaiah 19
Matthew 15:1-20

Thought for the day

Have you ever been mislead?  We have been.  

Between 2005 and 2013, Sylvia and I operated a Bed and Breakfast Inn north of Toronto.  We got very involved in the community where we were and had become quite well known in the town due to our involvement.  We had started to develop a friendship with the pastor of a church in town.  One day, we were preparing our evening dinner when the pastor drove into our driveway and walked to the door with a purposeful stride.  When he came inside the house, he immediately asked us "Would you consider quitting your jobs and working with me as pastors in the church here?" 

That immediately set us on a new trajectory.  After a number of meetings and discussions, we agreed to become part of the ministry at that church and I quit my job of 29 years.  What we did not know at that time, was the pastor was making this offer on his own without approval from the board of elders.  A few elders were aware but the full board had not been a part of discussion.  The board eventually agreed to hire us but after 3 months terminated our employment without compensation or due cause. 

In our reading in Matthew 15 today, we read that the religious people were trying to hold Jesus accountable for His disciples not following a hand washing tradition.  Jesus turned the conversation back to the heart.  He stated "out of the heart comes evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders.  These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile a man."

The real shame was that the religious leaders were blind to the fact they were actually in the presence of God.  They were the people with the authority to lead the people who were also blind to the fact their Messiah was amongst them.

We were mislead by a pastor with good intentions but without the authority!  He was blind leading us who were also blind.  The religious leaders had perceived (blind) authority and lead the people with (blind) good intentions.

God did fix our dilemma.  It turned out that Sylvia and I started a new and exciting chapter in our life. During that time of major transition, we never missed a mortgage payment and always had food on the table.  Jesus is the Messiah. He came to make the blind see He came to take away the sin of the world. He will never mislead you.  
   

Have a great day today!!

Steve


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