The following stories are true. Only the names have been changed to protect the innocent, and me! They are based on actual events. This is the story of these "three blind mice."
Mouse number one lives between the freeway and me-we must have passed his house thousands of times in the past eight years. He has all the toys-and they can and have been seen from his driveway. His first toy-a huge fishing boat, takes up the whole area reserved for a motor home-so you can imagine its size. Except we have never seen the space empty. If he uses it, it must be under cover of dark, or sneaks it out when we are out of town. He also has the latest BMW motorcycle, the latest off road truck, lifted, etc, and the only time I see him is when he waves to us on our bikes when we pass. I think I might have seen him once in his cul de sac on his BMW, but they all look grey and the same to me. He seems to be a nice man, but if I had to guess on his religion, I would base it on a false prosperity lie. He who dies with the most toys wins. Which they don't, the toys stay, and things on earth provide no guarantee for heaven after. But his FICA score and banker approve, so in the eyes of the world he is more than OK, he is successful.
Mouse number two is a retired businessman. He has had positions with titles, and always made better than average money. But his wife, who looks to support him, is really a liability. His earnings and any position are really about her, she thinks, and uses them for a political base. A facade of caring for others, as long as it benefits her. A veneer so tough it must be medicated just to function. Common in their peer group. Doing things others wouldn't even accept a thanks for, doing the right thing, she holds any gifts over the receivers head, reminding them they owe her. And she is miserable, as her husband works a lot of overtime. The old saying, if you don't get love at home, you get it at the office is true. He doesn't want to come home-she is there. But for appearance, and professional, and fiscal reason, stays married. They both play games with each other, and as long as the checks clear, they will stay together. Or more precisely-she will stay. They live the belief that they are happy, this is what happiness is, and since he is successful in business, he is successful at home. A false religion, based on a warped and twisting of scripture. Don't ever cross them, or expose them-the real them is hiding just waiting to devour you. Feel good theology is not based on love, just the love of-money.
Mouse number three has been associated with a national ministry for many years. Whenever he talks about God, he means the ministry. He recently married, and his new wife didn't realize he has a mistress-the ministry. On the honeymoon, they go camping with others in the ministry-but do find time to spend a few days alone. All activities revolve around the ministry, and although they travel a lot, it is all ministry related. Their time alone is shared doing ministry activities, they are truly never alone. His mistress is always there first. But they will stay married, for ministry reasons. And based upon what the ministry says to do, and their legalistic viewpoints, they will never be happy, but you will never know it. They will never admit it, as his mistress owns him, and in turn owns them. Not what she meant when she said " I do." She thought she was marrying a man.
God simply tells us to seek first the Kingdom of God, and its righteousness. Righteousness-being right with God. And since God also advises "to have no other Gods BEFORE me," other things have gotten between God and the three blind mice above. On judgment day, God will not recognize them. And in vain, they will complain, "but I told everyone what a great God you were by giving me toys. I did toy runs. I own my Bible, see how shiny it is. Like my cars. I was on social committees to help the poor. We even gave 10%, when we could. I gave up my old things when I bought new. We made almost every Christmas program. I gave my life to ministry, and so did my wife. We researched every problem, then gave advice. I even had a title, and was man of the year with them. I never gave them one minute of trouble. We did all things in the ministry's name-for you! We are even up to date on the building fund pledge. In this economy!"
And God will say-"be gone you evil ones, for you never knew me. When I was hungry, thirsty, alone, in jail, or sick-where were you? I was always a means to an end for you. You kept your Bible as shiny as your cars, and never used it. You did all things publicly for others to see, to bring you glory. You supported a ministry, not me. Did you ever spend time sharing and praying with your kids? Did you take in a stranger-no matter what the cost? Did you live in the spirit, or did you have to find assurance for each action by ministry by-laws or legalism? Did you love me first?"
"No all these other things were between us. And they will be eternally." Sadly, it doesn't have to be this way. Trust God. He will provide all your needs. He will fill your cup with mercy to overflowing. He will give you riches, in relationships and with him none other can. He will assure you heaven, and can be in Him, instead of a slave to a ministry. Repent-turn from the wrong, and turn to God.
It is not Him who flees, but the mice who scatter in His light. Are you running from, or to? Others can see what dirty rats you are, only God can forgive. Will you let Him, or is the veneer of life so tough that it has invaded your heart? Three blind mice-before a God who gives sight to the blind. "All I know, is I was blind, and now I can see!"
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com
