Over the summer I read a book by Francine Rivers called 'And the Shofar Blew'. In the Bible, the Jewish people blew the Shofar as a call to repentance and this is what I believe is ultimately a core principle of the book, we are called to repent for our lack of focus on God.
This fictional book was about a new pastor (Paul) living in the shadow of his famous father, setting out and leading a church of his own, however in his quest, Paul's ego outgrows his devotion to God.
Paul's focus switches from God to what he can do for himself. He
constantly uses the excuse that it is for the kingdom of God but never actually in his heart believes this, his focus is more how he can please his earthly father and what he can do for himself. It took him loosing everything; his son, his wife, his mother and his integrity to wake up and realise what he was doing.
It made me think how easy it is to lose focus and make excuses for that loss. I know that I can do nothing without God's grace and guidance. That means I must have complete focus on Him at all times. Scary thought when we are all so imperfect....
This fictional book was about a new pastor (Paul) living in the shadow of his famous father, setting out and leading a church of his own, however in his quest, Paul's ego outgrows his devotion to God.
Paul's focus switches from God to what he can do for himself. He
constantly uses the excuse that it is for the kingdom of God but never actually in his heart believes this, his focus is more how he can please his earthly father and what he can do for himself. It took him loosing everything; his son, his wife, his mother and his integrity to wake up and realise what he was doing.It made me think how easy it is to lose focus and make excuses for that loss. I know that I can do nothing without God's grace and guidance. That means I must have complete focus on Him at all times. Scary thought when we are all so imperfect....
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