Ponder.

Thursday, February 03, 2011
Ponder. I often wonder where I would be right now had I chosen not to accept Christ when I did. I would certainly not be doing what I am now as it relates to my job. I probably wouldn’t live in Cabot, either. There’s actually no telling where I’d be and what all I’d have gotten myself into by now. I do know this: Christ changed my life.
As I continue to grow in my maturity, I realize more and more how much it isn’t about me. Selfishness is a trait of childhood that has to be broken. We don’t have to be taught how to be selfish; we’re born with that ability. It’s part of our inherited sin nature, and sometimes it’s hard to break away from.
That’s why you hear so many people say so often that life is all about “their happiness.” Sure most folks don’t understand their decisions, and they may not exactly line up with what they have believed or understood the Bible to teach. But so long as they’re happy, it’s okay. That’s a faulty defense.
How many serial killers do you think enjoyed committing murder? How many bank robbers do you think enjoyed robbing banks? When Bernie Madoff stoles millions upon millions from elderly people who were depending on those investments to survive after retirement – do you think he was enjoying himself while getting rich? Do you think these criminals were happy while committing the acts that defined them?
Sure they were. There was probably adrenaline, mixed with the sick pleasure of being in control of their own lives. No one was going to tell them what they were doing was wrong. It didn’t matter. After all, they were happy. That’s all that matters, right?
Here’s the problem: the murderer may have enjoyed what they did, but someone else’s life ended because of it. The bank robbers may have gotten a thrill from robbing the banks, but others lost because of it. And though Bernie Madoff may have gotten rich and enjoyed doing it, some poor elderly folks found themselves without anything to live on when they’d become too old to work.
I hope you’re picking up on a theme here – there are always consequences. When we live our lives for ourselves with only “our happiness” in view, others suffer. People are dying all around us, and they need Jesus. Folks are living in their “lostness” and we have the answer. Someday they will stand before God, and if they aren’t prepared the result will be eternal disaster for them.
But who cares right? So long as we’re happy, that’s what counts most.
Today, I challenge you to think about someone else more than yourself. Begin to ponder how your decisions either point people to Jesus or away from Him. And please, if you realize something you’re doing is pointing folks away from Christ – asking Him to forgive that, and then choose to not allow that to be a part of your life anymore. Sometimes it’ll require huge sacrifice, but I can assure it’ll not be a big as a cross.



That’s just a thought, and I welcome yours.
Until next time,
blake

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