Don't Fall For It!
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principals of this world rather than on Christ."
Colossians 2:8 NIV
As I am writing this post, here in Southern California, the outside temperature is 95°. 95°! And it’s Fall! How can it be Fall when the air conditioning is on, my hot flashes match the forecast, and my drinks still have ice cubes in them? How? Fall is supposed to be something wayyyy different from that. Sweaters would be a nice change. Actual hot coffee would be good, too. Pants, instead of shorts, would be welcomed. Pretty much, anything other than the scorching sun would a great change.
We sorta had that change about a week ago. I know this might shock some of you, hold onto your hats—but we SoCal people dropped into the 70’s. The low 70’s! Whatttt? That's darn near winter for us. Let me tell you, it was bliss. All those things I mentioned above, actually lasted a full week. We walked around with our arms stretched to the skies, praising God.
And we gardeners, well, we got out our cool-weather-seed-packets and dreamt of future harvests. The crops were decided for which ones would take us into early winter, and even into spring. The planning began...
But the planting, did not.
Why, because anyone who has lived in southern climates, longer than one season, knows it was a False-Fall. That first hint of weather-changing we felt, wasn't true weather-changing at all. In fact, history tells us, October can stay warm. Hot winds prevail, temps stay up, the sun stays bright. We may want to wear our flannel shirts, but its more flip-flops instead.
There are a lot of modern day religions out there. The ones that look great, sound great, and feel great. The ones that focus on self-power. The ones that say name-it-and-claim-it. The ones that promise prosperity. The ones that have A-list celebrities. The ones that bend with the times. The ones without Jesus.
You know where I’m going…
God wants us to live in the long truths, which last—not the short falsities, that fade.
Because God knows us…
He knows we’ll take the easy route.
He knows we’ll find things that make us feel good.
He knows we’re into self, more than we're into Him.
Friends, if we are of the world, it will always be easier to accept what we want, more than what we know—our so called self “enlightenment” vs God’s true empowerment. And that’s what the others promise. They promise big returns, for little effort. They promise self-involved, instead of Creator-infused. They promise self-guidance, over God-assurance. They promise what feels good, over what lasts. Words that sound good, but words that are empty.
How exhausting those beliefs are. They’re all predicated on what YOU have to do; what you work towards, what you achieve, what you gain.
With God—with Jesus—it’s the opposite. It’s about what He has done, and what He will do, and what He has given. Truly, choosing Jesus, is about rest. It’s about resting in Grace, not working for favor. You want empowering?…that’s it right there!
“So this is what the Sovereign Lord says: ‘See, I lay a stone in Zion, a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed.’” Isaiah 28:16.
Truth creates trust. In turn, it creates foundation, which creates confidence, which creates certainty, which creates contentment. God knows what is best for us. He’s been through a season, or two. That's why He tells us, don't fall for it. Don't give up what is real in Him, to follow what is empty in others. Our best interest, will always be His best interest.
True Fall is coming for us, fellow southerners. The rest of you, we see you! We see you already enjoying your steaming lattes, full leggings, UGG boots, extra layers—we see it—and most certainly we want it! Keep showing us, because we know it will happen. We know the truth of the season. We know what is real and what isn’t. We won’t be dismayed. We won’t be fooled. We’ll trust the Truth.
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