Sneaky

I cheat you of your God-given destiny... because you demand your own way.  I cheat you of contentment... because you deserve better than this.  I cheat you of knowledge because you already know it all.  I cheat you of healing... because you are too full of you to forgive.  I cheat you of vision... because you’d rather look in the mirror than out a window.  I cheat you of genuine friendship... because nobody’s going to know the real you.  What am I?  I am pride... and I will cheat you every time.

These sentiments from a poem by Beth Moore paint a bleak but accurate picture of pride in our lives.  It’s a silent and sneaky poison... and many don’t realize that it has taken over their hearts.    In Proverbs 16:18, we read that it is pride that causes destruction and causes people to fall!  The antidote to this poison?   Selflessness.  Jesus modeled it... and wants us all to remember that we are here to serve, love, give to, and lift up those around us.  When we’re doing those things, pride loses it’s grip on our heart and we become a more Godly example to others.

The Light Is On

Most of us have seen it at one time or another.  The orange glow of the “check engine” light from the dashboard of our car.   It doesn’t tell us specifically what’s wrong... just that something is... and it needs to be taken care of.   I believe there are two types of people in situations like this... some that obey the prompting and immediately take their car to the garage to be checked out... and some that cover the light with a piece of electrical tape.  

When it comes to our daily lives... God has given us something... or more accurately stated... some One similar:  The Holy Spirit.  He’s the nudge we feel when something isn’t quite right... He’s the tap on the shoulder when what we’re about to say isn’t loving.  But the choice is ours... change our direction based on His guidance or disregard it and do what we want.  Following God’s nudges...and not ignoring the directing of the Holy Spirit... is key to a life that honors Him and runs smoothly toward reaching its potential. 

Cover Up

Have you ever made a mistake... lied to someone... needed to cover something up and weren’t sure how to do it?  Did you know that there are companies willing and able to help you with that task?  Sad... but true.  These “Alibi” providers charge a fee and attempt to conceal the damage a person causes.  They create fake documents, counterfeit airline tickets, and phony receipts... all designed to hide what really happened.  In fact, one company goes as far as to make it sound noble... their motto: “Our aim is total peace of mind for you and your family”.  

Lasting peace of mind doesn’t begin with a lie.  It doesn’t thrive in an environment of trickery or cover-ups.  And the results of poor choices always have consequences... whether internally through guilt or externally with break-ups or firings.  Scripture tells us in Psalm 139:7 that we can’t hide from God.  Our actions are known to Him no matter what company we hire to change what people may see.  It’s much better to come clean and begin to heal from the mistake... than it is to falsely believe that we have somehow escaped the consequences of our actions.  God knows our hearts... and He will allow what’s necessary into our lives to prevent us from making the same mistakes in the future.  

Hard Work

An Ethiopian folk tale tells of a wife’s determination to save her marriage.  The story goes that a couple was having relationship trouble... so the wife goes to a judge and says she needs help.  The judge tells her that he has a magic medicine that will solve her problem.  However, the main ingredient is a hair from a lion’s tail.  Loving her husband, the desperate woman agrees and goes out to acquire the hair.  Day after day she stalks a lion waiting for her opportunity.  Finally, one day she snatches the hair and races back to the judge...eager for the tonic that will save her marriage.  The judge tells her... “that was a very brave thing you did... it took determination, patience, resolve, and courage.  There is no magical potion.  Instead of looking for the quick fix... demonstrate those same things in your relationship... and I promise it will get better.”

Marriage is wonderful.  But I have yet to see one that hasn’t required hard work, compromise, understanding, forgiveness, and honesty to thrive.  If you’re having trouble... don’t scour the bookstore or the internet for a shortcut.  Reinvest your time in what built your bond from the start.  As 1st Corinthians 13 tells us, love isn’t just a feeling... it’s a commitment.  And when energy is spent on reinforcing that commitment rather than regretting it... great things can happen.

Shadow

There’s a Swedish Proverb that states:  “Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow”

As you read this today... you might be worried about something.  It’s kept you awake... taken over your thoughts... and made prayer time with God seemingly impossible to get through without distraction.  In Philippians 4:6-7, Paul tells us how to deal with these types of burdens:  “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”

Is worry casting a huge shadow over your life?  Pray and don’t stop until you have an answer.  Be honest... blunt... straightforward with your requests.  Pray specifically and unceasingly... and when God comes through (and He will in His own perfect way and time)... give thanks for what He does.  Worry is destructive and never works.  Give your burdens to God... leave them there... and experience a peace like never before.

Ourselves

Have you ever heard it said that elephants are afraid of mice?  How about that cobras can be charmed by the playing of a flute or that ostriches bury their heads in the sand?  If you (like many) have heard these and accepted them to be true... it’s time to set the record straight.  Elephants are nearly fearless and don’t run from mice... cobras can’t hear sound at all - they are distracted by the movement of the flute.... and ostriches only lower their head to tend to their nests and not bury them.  

Why the zoology lesson?  Simply to make a point.  Often we hear things that we are told are from the Bible... but aren’t.  “This too shall pass”  “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” “Money is the root of all evil” “God will not give you more than you can handle”  -  All of these are attributed to scripture, but the Bible contains none of them.  It’s critical that if we are going to grow as Christ-followers... we need to read the Bible for ourselves.  Study each passage... memorize verses... and before long, we’ll know the difference between man’s catchy sayings... and God’s truth.   

Father

The story is told of a group of teens who were enjoying a party , and someone suggested they go to a certain restaurant for a good time. “I’d rather you take me home,” Jan said to her date. “My parents don’t approve of that place.” “Afraid your father will hurt you?” one of the girls asked sarcastically.  “No,” Jan replied, “I’m not afraid my father will hurt me, but I am afraid I might hurt him.”

Like in this story, if we’re not careful, we’ll begin to think of God as a punishing and vengeful Father... just waiting to catch us doing something wrong and then zapping us for it.  That isn’t His character at all.  Fact is, we should avoid sin because we love God and He loves us... we don’t want to hurt and disappoint the One who unconditionally waits for us with open arms and nail-scarred hands.   As we partner together to reach our God-potential, it’s important to understand the depth of His love and the reasons behind why obedience is always the right and God-honoring decision.