Lenten message: Too busy for God?

Rev. Zane Whorton

Janet Morales

The room was filled with people from northern Randolph County as Rev. Zane Whorton, pastor of the Jacksonville/Cairo Christian Unity Church brought the message at the Lenten Luncheon Wednesday.

Whorton said the Scriptures we receive during the time of Lent are not happy ones and this one is no exception. He said it reminds us of what can happen when we are “too busy” and put our own wants and needs ahead of what God has planned for us.

“Jesus preached against the Roman government,” said Whorton. “He was not bowing down to any government, he was teaching the people to bow down and worship one God.”

Whorton explained the Roman government let Jesus talk as long as there were only a few followers but when more and more turned to Jesus instead of the government, trouble began. People turned to Jesus after seeing his miracles and hoped for their own healings. People were “busy” taking care of their own problems, their needs were not being met by the government.

“People began to find they matter, someone is listening,” said Whorton. “‘Lord Jesus have mercy on us,’ they would cry. But they tried to make their savior live up to their expectations rather than to live up to the expectation of God who sent Him.”

Whorton said Jesus was busy, too, busy doing God’s work. He was busy healing and teaching and ministering. “Too busy” said Whorton, to see they wanted Him to fix their needs and to do what they wanted.

“Jesus is calling out to you and me,” said Whorton. “But we are so busy, we can’t see God’s plan or we are too busy to take it. The people walked with him, they saw his works and heard his teachings. They made demands for a savior and ended up demanding for his execution.”

In Luke 13: 34 Jesus cries to Jerusalem saying “how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”

We are too busy.

Whorton concluded with a prayer, asking God to help us turn around to see what He has for us, to know that “our own lives have a meaning and we didn’t even know it. Help us find a purpose in our life.”

This was the second in a six-week series of luncheons sponsored by the Altrusa. Next week Father Mike Coleman, St. Pius X Church, will be the speaker.

Those interested in attending should make a reservation with Dora May Craven by calling 269-8405.