...So That...

There's always a catch, a hook, a further requirement to get something. You rarely get something for nothing. Ever see the "free" stuff advertised on the internet? "Click here for a free plasma TV or a new computer!" If you haven't clicked, then don't. While it is true that you can get the stuff without paying for it, you do have to pay for a whole bunch of other stuff. Sign up for newsletters, magazines, e-magazines and lots of other stuff that nickels and dimes you to death. Stuff like the tie of the month club, Travel Discount Clubs, and an email mailbox that is stuffed with so many new offers that it's hard to find the real email among them all!

But we just want the free stuff!

The Exodus story has a famous quote that you'll remember if you know the story. It's God's word to Pharoah through Moses, "Let my people go!" God was working at rescuing the people, Israel, from a difficult circumstance and was demanding their release. It's a story of encouragement that God will come to the rescue of those who need it, those who cry out in lament and for help. God's good that way.

But there's a catch.

It's the little remembered part of the story...the "so that."

"God, the God of the Hebrews, says, 'How long are you going to refuse to knuckle under? Release my people so that they can worship me.'" (Exodus 10:3, The Message)

It's the "so that" that is the catch.

It's not that God doesn't want to answer those who cry out for help just for that purpose, but how often is that the only thing we want. We want help in our circumstance, but we don't want anything else. But God on the other hand doesn't just want to help us out of our circumstance, but also wants us, our heart, a relationship, our worship. God helps not just to help, but to get close.

It's the same reason a young man holds the door open for a pretty girl. (Do they even still do that?)

So that he can get close and something more can develop.

While we seek help, it's the so that God seeks. Not that we make those promises that "if you help me, I'll serve you forever." God doesn't what those. God simply wants us to know Him, to love Him, to be His.

God's always ready to help...

...are we ready to worship?

Peace ><>
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