Sin, Stubble, and Motives

A thought hit me this morning during the sermon. Not only do I want to stay pure from sin, but I want to stay clear of stubble. How many times have I wasted a day on stupid stuff like reading the news on Yahoo's front page, or just trying to find something to entertain me because I'm bored. I'll take out a blank sheet of paper and just doodle. Most of those drawings are day dreams of buildings or house designs, but I can honestly say as I think about them that they are a result of me not having a plan. I can't say that I was doing those things for the Lord. I can think of a lot of Saturday mornings or holidays where I just vegged out.

I know that it's fine to just rest. I just want to have a plan for my time. I guess what I'm trying to say is that there are some pretty worthless things we can spend our time on that will burn up in the end. The Bible talks about it as stubble, the worthless grass stalks left over after the harvest. It's not necessarily sin, but it can be. To him who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him is it sin.

But I also know that it has to do with my motives. If I do a bunch of good stuff just to look good, and not because I'm serving God, then it too is worthless. Your motives can also be good, and you are seek to please God before all else, and then it may seem like nothing really happens or gets done. Well, I believe that if in your heart you are fellowshipping with God, that nothing else matters. A young child may not really be able to help you with the laundry, but if they offer to help then you adore their efforts and their heart attitude to help, even if they only take a couple of socks out of the basket. It's the same way with God. He judges our motives for what we do, not necessarily the quality of our work. When we spend our down time focusing on God and praying, it is more valuable than if we just watch TV or try to find something to entertain us.


--Johnie