We five were pals at school and we are still pals. We were quite naughty at school. Not bad kids, but none of us liked school work and we were very creative in finding reasons to miss school for a day.

When the excuse of a stomach ache did not work, and we were forced to go to school, we didn’t make it past first period, because we soon escaped on our fifties (our motorbikes).

No, not all of us had a motorbike and some of us grabbed a lift on the back of someone else’s motorbike – which was not really allowed. And a second helmet wasn’t part of the setup either, because as I said, you weren’t really allowed to have a passenger on the bike.

Often, we played Risk at the one pal who stayed on the other side of the railway track.

I suspect my mom never really enjoyed parents’ evenings. Her lower lip was always so shiny as she clung to her handbag walking into the first appointment, usually the Afrikaans teacher. None of us really liked her and I think the feeling was mutual.

My mom was worn out after such an evening, and would fall down on the couch, saying every teacher’s comments had one golden thread: “They are godless”.

Well, I have to admit we weren’t the easiest learners in the class. We often got a hiding and thought school was useless, but godless? Never! All of us served God in our own way and worked on having a relationship with Him. How could they say we were godless? Didn’t that mean that we were without God?

However, that’s indeed what the dictionary says: “1. impious; wicked. 2. without a god. 3. not recognizing God”. But “wicked” have also come to mean naughty and mischievous. And that might have been a closer description of us.

When the author of Hebrews says:  ¹⁶Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite, he is obviously not referring to being naughty or mischievous. He is saying that people shouldn’t try living life without God. They shouldn’t turn their backs on God.

And if you’ve read up to here, I suspect you’re not doing that. In your own way, through all the struggles of life, through all the distractions of life, you are trying to get back and closer to God again and again. Good for you, may you get this right more and more.

The phrase “watch out” in this verse says much more than simply warning you and me not to be godless. It means we must make sure, verify, make absolutely certain that the people in our sphere of influence make God part of their lives.

This is a huge task. It is a huge responsibility and job entrusted to us. Let’s ask the Holy Spirit to open our eyes and ears and show us who He wants us to entreat, pull and push to invite God into their lives.

Scripture
Hebrews 12:14-17

Reflection
Who do you have to go and talk to about having God in their lives?
When can you do it?
How can you do it?

Prayer
Father, I acknowledge my responsibility. My heart aches for those who live without You. Please give me the strength and the wisdom to show You to them, and if necessary, please also give me the words. In Jesus’ Name, amen.