Course Correction
Scripture:
10 Judah’s leaders are like those who move boundary stones. I will pour out my wrath on them like a flood of water. 11 Ephraim is oppressed, trampled in judgment, intent on pursuing idols.
Hosea 5:10-11
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces[a] of this world rather than on Christ.
Colossians 2:6-8
Devotional:
Imagine, you put on your silky smooth, cozy pajamas, lay in your warm comfortable bed and slowly drift off into sweet restful sleep. To your surprise, you wake up on a cold floor. You look to your right because a lit candle is seen in your peripheral vision. As you walk to grab the candle, beneath it you see an old dusty map, you grab that too. The candlelight illuminates your sweatpants, hoodie and sneakers. Confusion sets in, “Where am I?”, “How did I get here?”, “Who changed my clothes?”. You scream out, “Hello!, is anyone there?”; the only response are echoes that become increasingly faint with distance. Panic clings to you, like a tongue on a frozen metal pole. Unsure of what to do, a thought comes to your mind, “read the map”. You carefully raise the map and the candle to your face. You see the words, “Look up, find the window and walk toward it.” As you follow the directions, a door comes into view underneath the window. You cautiously open the door, BAM!, sunlight rushes in and you find a book of maps at your feet, titled, “The Way Back Home”; your journey begins.
Perhaps, if you think long enough, you might remember a time when things seemed to be going very well for you, life was comfortable, and your concerns were minimal. But through the passage of time, or even suddenly, life became more complicated, unfulfilling, difficult, and at times unbearable. Or maybe it’s always been unbearable for you. As a follower of Christ, what could be the reason for the difficulties?
Hosea mentions “boundary stones”, which are like maps and candlelight, helping people to find The Way. And if you look at a different translation, the phrase, “intent on pursuing idols”, is translated as “Because he willingly walked by human precept.” Therefore, oppression and judgment come when boundary stones are moved and people follow their own thoughts, ways, and traditions, rather than God’s!
In Colossians, you’re admonished to live your life rooted and built up in the teachings of Christ Jesus -- this is your boundary stone! Jesus’s teachings were primarily about changing your mindset to be that of the Kingdom of Heaven. Any deviation from this will have you waking up on a cold floor instead of in your comfortable bed. Regardless of your state, remaining within and knowing the boundary stones will ensure you are always right where you’re supposed to be, and if needed, you’ll be able to help others course correct and find The Way Back Home, too.
Response:
Read the whole New Testament before the year 2025 ends! If you start on October 1st reading only 3 chapters a day, you will finish the New Testament on December 31st. If you decide to embark on this journey, ask the Holy Spirit to teach you about Jesus’s main message -- Change your mind, get the Kingdom of Heaven into your mind, will and emotions!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing to me one of the causes of oppression and judgment. Show me where the boundary stones have been removed in my life and in my family. Show me the areas in which I am on a cold floor instead of a comfortable bed. Please help me as I continue to be conformed into the image of your Son! I love you, and thank you. Amen!