What's Your Tradition?

Stop and think about traditions for a minute. Why does the president pardon a turkey every year at Thanksgiving? Why do millions of people join a mass shopping spree on the day after we're supposed to be thankful for what we have? Why do we rely on a groundhog to predict the weather?


We laugh, but how about traditions in our Christian lives? What do we, as Christians, endeavor to make habits in our daily walk? 

• Reading the Bible
• Praying
• Memorizing Scripture
• Worshiping God
• Going to church
• Helping others

Now don't get me wrong...these are good "traditions". They're even commanded in the Bible. The problem is, it's easy to let these things become just that...tradition. Because we know we're "supposed to". Because we would be embarrassed to admit to others if we didn't keep them. Because we would feel like lousy Christians if we didn't adhere strictly to these "rules". So instead of saying "I HAVE TO", let's say "I GET TO". These are not things we do to gain salvation, but rather BECAUSE OF our salvation.  Think about the people you care most about. Do you HAVE TO spend time with them? Or are you excited to get an opportunity to talk with them and fellowship with them? We should feel sad to miss an opportunity to talk with our best Friend.

The nation of Israel found themselves being attacked by the Philistines one day, so they decided, as was the tradition, to take the Ark of God with them into battle to protect them. But they were trusting in the ark like a "good luck charm", instead of in the One it represented. They were defeated in battle, and the Philistines stole the Ark from them. Why do we do the things we do?

Why do you do the things you do,
And who do you do them for?
Do you do them for yourself?
Or do you do them for the Lord?
- Unknown