Hook, sink, and reel. I got your attention, didn't I?
While I certainly don't want to relate to the one word title I can also most certainly relate to the quandary this verse poses. Can you? Do you ever find yourself doing the very think you purport to be against? I think the easiest way to relate to this is in the single word, gossip. I think most of us agree that gossip is bad; it can hurt the one being gossiped about and it can damage the reputation of the ones doing the gossip. Yet how many of us have found ourselves in the midst of a conversation that has become a gossip-fest before we even realized it had happened? And what did we do at that point?
Recently, I was listening to a very interesting talk by J. John on Focus on the Family ( https://www.focusonthefamily.com/media/daily-broadcast/gaining-a-new-perspective-on-life ). It was a great listen if you want to go there yourself, but what spoke to me in relationship to this topic was him talking about God being in the car of your life. He asked listeners if God was in their car. Then he asked where God was in the car. Trunk--take Him out for church on Sunday, put Him back in the rest of the week? Back seat--He's along for the ride--there, just not an active participant? In the front seat--a companion, there to give advice, be a sounding board, friend, etc.? In the driver's seat--the One directing your life. It was this next part that hooked me. He then asked, "Are you a backseat driver?" Oh. My. Goodness. When God takes a turn in the road am I quick to say "Where are You going? I didn't want to turn here!" Do I let Him lead without interference? Do I say I'm going to let Him drive, then keep giving Him directions?
Isn't that what this verse is really all about? I decide one way--to let Him be the driver, then I act another? Maybe I find myself totally outside the car on some days. When He wants to take me down the road of humility do I tell Him I've already been here and learned that lesson? When He chooses the lane of generosity do I show Him another lane that has a better lesson for me to learn?
Today, let's agree to keep tabs on what we say and do with this in mind. Let's see if our actions agree with what we say we believe. Then let's get the two to line up and leave the driving to Him.
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