Take a spade and look at it. What is it?

'A spade' I hear you say. Correct. A spade is indeed a spade.

Cover said spade in glitter and tinsel and ribbons and what does it become?

Nothing, it is still a spade. Its reason is to dig, to shift earth. The principle purpose of the spade is not changed one bit and cannot, its spade-iness is unaltered.

But... with the pretty alterations and distracting shiny-ness is the spade perceived as the earth moving tool it is intended? Or does it instead become a trinket? A centre piece to be admired and awed by, but not picked up and used?
The decorations of the spade do no harm but they do rather detract from the gritty and real purpose of it turning over the soil.

Apply this analogy to the gospel. The wonderful truth of the saving grace of God and His sacrifice of His son the Lord Jesus Christ needs no window dressing does it? So why do we do it?.. for God? Or for us? Food for thought methinks...

Romans 1: 16 "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."


As a secular side dish here are some songs you may like that you've not necessarily heard, I like 'em:

• 'Eyes' by Rogue Wave - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xTzMjBpxGE
• 'Country boy can survive' by Hank Williams Jr - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4s0nzsU1Wg
• 'Emily' by Stephen Fretwell - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kckYgfBeU_E
• 'One' by Johnny Cash - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQBrn6trEwI
• 'Umbrella' remix by Coffey Anderson - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE57VcA8E_M
• 'Please please please let me get what I want' by Clayhill - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZCYfy7T6Y4

Coffey Anderson is a bit tooooo much for me, but he's got a great voice and the words are lovely.