Jumbled

“In the course of time Cain brought some fruits of the soil”.  (Genesis 4:2).

The Sacrifice of Cain and Abel (Mariotto Albertinelli)

My life is very routine.  I live according to a set agenda of tasks.  Sometimes I need to be at work, sometimes, I need to be with my children.  Other times I need to clean my home or do the washing or socialise with my family.

And this routine is very useful.  It means that I can make time to eat and drink and talk and work and pray.

And I have been thinking about this as I have been thinking about the sacrifices of Cain and Abel…

You see, in the Old Testament, we are told that both Cain and Abel made sacrifices, but that God was dissatisfied with Cain’s sacrifice…

“Now Abel kept flocks, and Cain worked the soil.  In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  And Abel also brought an offering—fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The Lord looked with favour on Abel and his offering,  but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favour. So, Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast.” (Genesis 4:2-5).

When I used to read this passage, I could not really understand why one sacrifice appeared better to God than the other.  I thought initially that perhaps animal offerings were better than plant offerings.  But I had recently read something that explained something of the difference.  You see, we are told what the problem is “in the course of time Cain brought some fruits of the soil”.  In comparison, Abel brought “fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock”.  You see, Abel offered the best and he did it immediately – from the firstborn.  Cain – on the other hand – only gave a bit of stuff after a bit of time.  He did not give with all his heart.  He did not place God first in his routine.

And I have been thinking about that today as I have been considering the whole routine of my life.  You see, it seems to me that I have spent so much of my life trying to fit God in that perhaps I have made Him the One who I get to “in the course of time”?  And this is a horrific error on my part.  You see, God does not get to me “in the course of time”.  He comes to me first and foremost.  He attends to my needs immediately.  God is waiting for me at the rising of the sun and its setting.

And it occurs to me that I have jumbled the whole order of my life.  I have been as Cain to God.  And my offerings will not be pleasing to Him in this way.  And I have been thinking about this today as I have been thinking about how terrible it is to place the Lord of the Universe into a routine that allows me to attend to Him “in the course of time”…

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.