Every year between 60,000 and 200,000 people will die from a medical condition known as Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). Usually the DVT occurs in a person's legs where blood has pooled, allowing a blood clot to form. Once formed, the danger is that the clot might circulate to the lungs or brain where it can cause respiratory failure or a stroke.
The tragic thing about DVT's is that they are not caused by irresponsible behavior, but by simply being inactive. Simply sitting or laying down too long is all it takes for one of these clots to form.
There are sins of commission and then there are sins of omission. When we blatantly do those things that God forbids, we expect that there might be serious consequences. But, because sins of omission are so subtle, we tend to think of them as more benign. Nevertheless, sometimes it's the person who lays around and does nothing who faces the gravest danger.
"So, because you are lukewarm--neither hot nor cold--I am about to spit you out of my mouth" (Revelation 3:16).
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Some 30 to 50 million armadillos live in the US. Any given year, approximately a quarter to a half million will become road kill. The sight of their smashed carcasses is quite commonplace in the American Southwest. Even with all its natural defenses of thick, leathery, armor-like skin, the armadillo consistently learn a little too late that the middle of the road is not the safest place to be. In fact, National Geographic reports that it is the nine-banded armadillo’s "hapless propensity for being run over by cars" that has earned it the nickname “Hillbilly Speed Bump.”
How about you? Have you been duped into thinking that the middle of the road is the safest place to be? Don't commit, don't take a stand, and above all don't take the risk of offending anyone. Isn't that the message today?
So we camp out somewhere in the middle, only to find out a little too late that we've made a "Hillbilly Speed Bump" of ourselves.
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!" (Revelation 3:15).
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When our youngest child was a little boy he suffered intense separation anxiety whenever we attempted to leave him in a nursery or with a babysitter. I'll never forget the look on his sad and weepy face, pressed against the window, as we backed the car down the driveway to leave. But what really broke my heart was to see him still standing there, with his face pressed against the glass, two or three hours later when we returned.
Fortunately, our son would eventually mature beyond his need to always be with us.
The New Testament challenges us with a different idea of maturity. We are told that the mature are those who are anxious for their Savior's return. They are the ones who are waiting and watching--with their face pressed against the glass! It's not independence but dependence that demonstrates spiritual maturity. And they are the ones who are assured that when Jesus does return, they will "always be with the Lord."
Spiritually speaking, separation anxiety is a sign of spiritual vitality.