A Case of ADOS

http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2016-17&version=NIV

I did new member counseling with a high school girl and a friend after church one day, and they brought to my attention a whole new version of the Attention Deficit Disorder diagnosis. They proudly told me that they had ADOS? "ADOS", I asked, "What's that?" Their response was that it stood for Attention Deficite Oooohhhh Shiney, and went on to explain that they often find when they are talking to someone and see something bright and shiney or interesting, that it totally distracts them. I laughed with them and decided I could probably self-diagnose myself with that - as I'm sure many of us can.

In Luke 16, Jesus tells several parables that warn us about the dangers of untreated spiritual ADOS. The first is the parable of the Shrewd Manager. At the end Jesus warms us that the love of all things bright and shiney and the love of God cannot co-exsist for it is possible to serve two masters. Loving the bright shiney things is called spiritual adultery by James in James 4:4 where he says, "You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred towards God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God."

Jesus uses the parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus to drive his points home. A story that we, in the wealth and luxury of America, would be wise to tune into. The rich man in the story had everythings he could want - lived in the lap of luxury. But the lap of luxury kept him from crawling into the lap of God. He was distracted by all of the bright shiney things of the world that he had no need and no want for God. He didn't need God to fill him because he had so many options of other things. I imagine that if his mind ever turned towards thoughts of God that it quickly turned aside when something bright and shiney arrived on the scene.

Contrast the rich man to Lazarus. Lazarus had nothing - not even his health. The only thing he had to cling to was God - and cling he did. He had no physical wealth, but he was a spiritual millionaire with rich, rich, heavenly rewards. On the other hand, Lazarus was spiritually bankrupt, reduced when he died to being a spiritual beggar.

Living in America makes this story so relevant and this warning one what we must heed. We live in a nation of great wealth - wealth we often take for granted. While we often think we are better off or more blessed than those living in other nations, I'm not sure this is the case. Our physical wealth leaves us so vulnerable for developing a good strong case of ADOS. When we have so much, our need for God becomes secondary. When we have so much, we often fail to reach out until we have something (our health, a job, a loved one) taken from us. As a result, we are in danger of missing amazing spiritual richness both here on earth and in heaven.

I pray, my sweet friends, that you would ask God to open your eyes to those things that distract you from seeking after him. You might be surprised that it isn't money or objects - it could be things that are inately good but have become an idol - a relationship, a person, a child, success, a good name, or even ministry. I pray that your heart would be moved to lay those things at the foot of the cross and let God decide what to do with them so that you hands are open to carry the cross and your heart free for the treasures God desires to give to you. I pray that you would seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, resting in the promise that all other things will be added to you as well. I pray that you would ask, seek, and knock on God's storehouse door for those things that would make you spiritually rich. There is nothing else that satisfies.

Which will it be, my friends - what will you desire most. Spiritual riches and worldly riches? The choice is in your hands.

"Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy? Liste, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your sould will delight in the richest of fare. - Isaiah 55:2

Today's post was submitted by Carol Bartels