Muddied up!

Jeremiah 3:22

I was watching the Discovery Channel the other day; one of those Gold mining shows. The driver of a pickup truck was trying to get up a very muddy rain soaked hill. He would start on a flat and gun it. The driver would get about half way up the hill and floor the gas. His tires would spin, eventually he would loose grip and would slowly slide back. Even though his tires were going like mad forward, he would fall back, finding himself mired in deep mud. It took a tractor to pull him free. The whole thing reminded me unfortunately of too many Christians walks. They have started off fine, but become stuck in the mire of life. Some Well meaning Christians think of these children of God as "Seeds sown among the weeds"; I do not. These are born again brothers and sisters. They are part of our family in Christ. The term backsliding is used to describe them. I believe this happens mainly because of poor descipleship. They are left to run on their own, not properly prepared for the land mines Satan puts in their paths. They are mud stuck brothers and sisters, who need assistance, encouragement and guidance back into the fold, back on firm ground. All heaven rejoices when what was lost is returned (Luke 15:7). Here is the kicker; Once restored and descipled they are often Gods most productive workers (Luke 7:47).

There are many reading this that are smiling. Because WE know that the love and guidance that was once shown us, we now show to others. WE also know that you will find the best diamonds in the mud. Let us pray:

Lord, we thank you for welcoming your straying children back home. We have sinned against you, yet you have welcomed us home. God we love you all the more for it. Help each of us to aid without judgement of those brothers and sisters in need. We want to do all we can to help them in their walk. We Praise you and Give all Glory to you. In Jesus' name, Amen.