ONLY TOKENS
Today's reading: 1 Samuel 1-5

"The Philistines attacked and defeated the army of Israel, killing four thousand men. After the battle was over, the army of Israel retreated to their camp, and their leaders asked, Why did the Lord allow us to be defeated by the Philistines? Then they said, Let's bring the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord from Shiloh. If we carry it into battle with us it will save us from our enemies." 1 Samuel 4:2-3 NLT

It didn't work. The children of God were thumped again--and what's worse, the Ark was taken by the enemy army where it remained for a long while.

Trinkets and tokens don't work. Things you can carry in your hands are no match for what God is asking us to carry in our hearts.

A Bible cannot be carried around like one would a lucky rabbit foot. It's words must penetrate and change the heart.

A receipt from your tithe is not a 'Get Out Of Jail Free' card. Our part must be given will the full intention of it being an offering to Him.

A completed Sunday School lesson. A rotation on the nursery schedule. A lifetime worth of perfect church attendance. A card punched showing participation each and every time the church doors were open. We should not forsake the assembling of our selves together, but how's our attitude when we arrive--what are we hoping to get out of it?

Trinkets, in some cases. Talismans. Tokens of mis-laid hope keeping our hands full.

What He needs us to carry, what will change our lives without a shadow of a doubt, a real game-changer--is Him!

Is He in you, or are you just carrying around a few tokens hoping to look good?