ANCIENT WORDS, MODERN WORLD WEEK 6: GIVING GOD OUR LEFTOVERS (MALACHI)

To be honest with you, I am not a huge fan of leftovers. There are a few things that, when leftover from a previous meal, I will regularly finish off…but for the most part, I want my meals freshly prepared. Some of it is the reality that most foods do not taste the same once they are reheated or eaten cold. Another reason I believe I feel this way is that repeatedly eating the same thing for several days doesn’t appeal to me, and for that reason leftovers leave me wanting something more.

Many times, this same mindset can creep into our lives as we try to follow Jesus. Our world is full of things to do. There always seems to be something fresh, new, and exciting that we can get involved with that is pulling on our hearts and our minds to be involved in. These aren’t necessarily bad things…and so we are intrigued and we desire that new experience or thrill. We live in a culture that is constantly forming us. Algorithms shape what we see. Outrage shapes what we feel. Consumerism shapes what we want. Busyness shapes what we prioritize. And slowly, almost invisibly, our attention gets diverted and divided. This culture just keeps filling our plates with more and more, which means that at some point, something else needs to go away.

Unfortunately, too often what gets pushed aside is our spiritual life.  God gets what’s left—leftover time, half-hearted focus, and barely a glance while scrolling on our devices. We sigh or derisively grunt at the thought of giving generously or at the invite to another serving opportunity.  But here’s the dangerous part: you and I can still attend church, sing along, serve occasionally…and our heart can be miles away. It’s not that we don’t believe; it is just that we can become spiritually bored. And God says something shocking: “I hate what you’re offering Me.” God hates half-hearted lives offering lip-service, assuming he doesn’t care or doesn’t even notice.

In a culture that trains you to consume, perform, compare, and self-promote, God calls us to something different. He calls us to honor, to reverence, and to wholehearted worship and obedience. He is not looking for your leftovers. He is looking for full-hearted devotion, and God is worthy of more than convenience.