You have wearied the Lord with your words; Yet you say, “In what way have we wearied Him?” In that you say, “Everyone who does evil, Is good in the sight of the Lord, And He delights in them,” Or, “Where is the God of justice?” Malachi 2:17
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” Psalms 2:1-6
Have you ever felt like you were getting nowhere fast and everyone else around you seems to get all the breaks? If you are human like me, it is easy to get jealous and wonder ‘why can’t I skip ahead and follow the rest of the world’s philosophies.’ First of all, Christians are to be in the world but not of it. Secondly, the world’s ideas of living, climbing corporate ladders, and stepping on people to get to high positions are not part of the Way that Jesus left for us to follow. How can you and I live as a Christian in the midst of a self-centered generation that is only consumed with meeting the appetites of their flesh?
Recently, I visited an amusement park and noticed a situation that parallels a spiritual reality. While waiting in line for a water ride that had 5 flights of stairs, I saw two young boys beginning to weave through the crowd. We have all been taught since Kindergarten that cutting line is not right or fair, especially on amusement park rides with up to a hundred people waiting. The boys when up the stairs one by one telling everyone that their friends were waiting for them. Only a few people stopped and questioned them. A few minutes later a lifeguard was told and began chasing them up the stairs. It was hot, and I was hoping the lifeguard would catch them. Of course, they made it to the top and were apparently approved with a “boys will be boys mentality” by the lifeguard.
The whole crowd had watched the boys cut line in their impatience and self-centeredness. We knew it was not fair, but we had no power except for tell the truth. The truth always sets us free. As we stood by waiting our turn, the ride was shut down, because someone had gotten stuck near the end of the ride. The guards had to rescue the people, and guess who it was—the two little rascals that had skipped line. Now, they were being escorted by a manager and were given a first class trip to the top to ride again for their inconvenience. A lady in the crowd spoke up to the manger and said they had cut line. The boy’s conscience was trembling, but the manager could only go by what she was commanded. They were ushered to the top, and everyone knew they had gotten there through lying and cheating… It was not fair, but everyone waiting his or her turn had a clear conscience.
There are many lessons to be learned from this story. First of all, life does not always seem fair because we live with imperfect people with imperfect judgment. However, God sees everything and is full of justice and righteousness. Second, those who cheat sometimes get rewarded in this life, but will eventually get caught by God and often by man. Third, the fastest way to the top is opposed to the slow process of true growth of Christian character. Fourth as a Christian, we must be “holding faith, and a good conscience;” (1 Timothy 1:19a). Believe that God is who He says He is and trust His providential hand to guide you through school, work, parenting and your marriage. His ways are always right and true.
If you find yourself going no where fast in any part of your life, do not lower your integrity by cheating in the smallest ways. Stand firm in the truth and speak it in love even though others may be blazing past you in worldly standards. Remember that true spiritual growth takes time to develop, brings lasting joy and is energized by the promise of God giving grace to the humble. Life in a lot of ways is like a ride at the amusement park, it has its ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns, and is soon over. Live it to its fullest by understanding the Designer of it all.
Why do the nations rage, And the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, Against the Lord and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces And cast away Their cords from us.” He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure: “Yet I have set My King On My holy hill of Zion.” Psalms 2:1-6
Have you ever felt like you were getting nowhere fast and everyone else around you seems to get all the breaks? If you are human like me, it is easy to get jealous and wonder ‘why can’t I skip ahead and follow the rest of the world’s philosophies.’ First of all, Christians are to be in the world but not of it. Secondly, the world’s ideas of living, climbing corporate ladders, and stepping on people to get to high positions are not part of the Way that Jesus left for us to follow. How can you and I live as a Christian in the midst of a self-centered generation that is only consumed with meeting the appetites of their flesh?
Recently, I visited an amusement park and noticed a situation that parallels a spiritual reality. While waiting in line for a water ride that had 5 flights of stairs, I saw two young boys beginning to weave through the crowd. We have all been taught since Kindergarten that cutting line is not right or fair, especially on amusement park rides with up to a hundred people waiting. The boys when up the stairs one by one telling everyone that their friends were waiting for them. Only a few people stopped and questioned them. A few minutes later a lifeguard was told and began chasing them up the stairs. It was hot, and I was hoping the lifeguard would catch them. Of course, they made it to the top and were apparently approved with a “boys will be boys mentality” by the lifeguard.
The whole crowd had watched the boys cut line in their impatience and self-centeredness. We knew it was not fair, but we had no power except for tell the truth. The truth always sets us free. As we stood by waiting our turn, the ride was shut down, because someone had gotten stuck near the end of the ride. The guards had to rescue the people, and guess who it was—the two little rascals that had skipped line. Now, they were being escorted by a manager and were given a first class trip to the top to ride again for their inconvenience. A lady in the crowd spoke up to the manger and said they had cut line. The boy’s conscience was trembling, but the manager could only go by what she was commanded. They were ushered to the top, and everyone knew they had gotten there through lying and cheating… It was not fair, but everyone waiting his or her turn had a clear conscience.
There are many lessons to be learned from this story. First of all, life does not always seem fair because we live with imperfect people with imperfect judgment. However, God sees everything and is full of justice and righteousness. Second, those who cheat sometimes get rewarded in this life, but will eventually get caught by God and often by man. Third, the fastest way to the top is opposed to the slow process of true growth of Christian character. Fourth as a Christian, we must be “holding faith, and a good conscience;” (1 Timothy 1:19a). Believe that God is who He says He is and trust His providential hand to guide you through school, work, parenting and your marriage. His ways are always right and true.
If you find yourself going no where fast in any part of your life, do not lower your integrity by cheating in the smallest ways. Stand firm in the truth and speak it in love even though others may be blazing past you in worldly standards. Remember that true spiritual growth takes time to develop, brings lasting joy and is energized by the promise of God giving grace to the humble. Life in a lot of ways is like a ride at the amusement park, it has its ups and downs, ins and outs, twists and turns, and is soon over. Live it to its fullest by understanding the Designer of it all.
I thought those kids were great...
ReplyDeleteWell, if I'm being completely honest, maybe I was the first person to complain.
Thank you for sharing such real life experiences and helping me to grow with you...