We had two of the most precious little red squirrels in our backyard. They were beautiful little animals. Unfortunately in addition to being lovely they were too smart. They figured out how to eat out of our “squirrel proof” bird feeder. It was amazing to see their ingenuity. However, they were eating me out of house and home. They could consume five dollars of seed in a single day. They now live miles from here. Our “live-trap” did the job. They outgrew their welcome.
I have seen people do the same. It often happens in the work place. My father told me to leave while I am still wanted. That wasn’t bad counsel. Most of us have seen that in church. At some point it is often wise for the pastor to move on. Unfortunately sometimes that happens after about a month! It is hard on the pastor’s family. They never get a new pastor. I used to worry about my boys. That is one reason I tried so hard.
There are some things in our lives we need to make unwelcome. We need to recognize those things that harm us and tear away the fiber of our character. We need to have the courage to own up to the need to expel them from our lives. It’s time to make selfishness, envy and downright meanness no longer welcome in our behavior. When we snap at people or belittle them or try to make ourselves better than they, we manifest behaviors unwelcome in heaven. If we really want to live forever with our Lord we need to summon His help in making all that will be unwelcome in heaven to be unwelcome here and now.
Written by Roger Bothwell on July 8, 2009
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
rogerbothwell.org