I saw this question in something I was reading last week in reference to a verse in Hosea. It gave me pause to think about where I have been singing and how often the place varies. It all came about when I read just four words that were attributed to the Israel’s condition as Hosea was bringing God’s message, His warning of judgment…

Hos 10:2a Their heart is divided…

It took me to another verse that states the fact much more forcefully…

Rev 3:15-16 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou were cold or hot. 16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spew thee out of my mouth.

Those words were to the church of Laodicea, one of the two end time churches. What a contrast to the church at Philadelphia that walked in love and followed the Spirit in a Christ-centric life. Laodicea lived and walked in a self-centric lifestyle, simply going through the motions but ignoring the reason.

Are we ever like that? I think we all experience those times where we sing praises and worship on Sunday morning, but not where we are willing to live. We offer up our prayers and acknowledge our loyalty to Jesus on Sunday but on Monday through Saturday we pursue our own plans and goals.

Why?

I think it has everything to do with the most basic issue, the most central focus of our walk… Faith! We look at the circumstances surrounding us and we fear that we are losing control. And we find ourselves going through the motions on Sunday (and perhaps during) while we continue to hold onto the reins in an attempt to maintain control. And the result puts us in exactly the same place Israel found itself… the place of split loyalty… the place of a divided heart! 

So, the question. Are we trying to catch up to Jesus on Sunday, after having wandered away the rest of the week? Have we diluted our faith in His promises to us in favor of maintaining control of  our life?

Are we singing beyond where we are willing to live? 

I have to admit that I find myself doing exactly that when I fail to commit the very first part of my day to reminding me Who I am and Whose I am. Our song, our life, needs to be one that is filled with exactly what God demanded of Israel. Our song needs to be filled with the verses that keep our life Christ-centric. We need to be singing and living a life that is focused on Faithfulness, Trustworthiness, and Loyalty.