Leave Behind Your "Golden Calf"

Whenever a commitment is made to launch a new beginning, some aspect of your previous life has to be left behind. When the Israelites left Egypt for the Promised Land, they would have to forsake the practice of idol worship. The first and second Commandments state: “You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves any graven images.”

At Mount Sinai they willfully put their future at risk by creating and worshipping a golden calf. Recklessness and boredom can be responsible for a lapse in judgment which becomes a prelude to sin. Experiencing these conditions can lead to poor judgement, which in turn produces painful and negative consequences.

Getting severely stressed out tends to generate thoughts that “Life should be better,” and “I deserve more happiness.” The golden calf looked really good to the Hebrew people, and they imagined it could be the answer to their problems. Can you imagine that? While God could not negate the consequences of their sin, he was willing to forgive them as they abandoned the worship of idols. 

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The Lord said to Moses: "Leave this place, [Mount Sinai], you and the people you brought up from the land of Egypt, and go to the land that I promised to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and to their descendants."

~Exodus 33:1 Good News Bible

I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has taken hold of me. So I keep on running and struggling to take hold of the prize. My friends, I don’t feel that I have already arrived. But I forget what is behind, and I struggle for what is ahead.

~Philippians 3:12-13 Contemporary English Version

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Trading Old Habits for God's New Way of Life

For some new believers in Jesus Christ, old habits from a previous lifestyle can remain appealing. What is not often understood is that new habits such as reading the Bible, worshiping God, and making new friends must be formed and nurtured daily.

The Israelites refused to believe that God was aware of their troubles as they made their way to the Promised Land. They began to regress to behaviors they had learned from the Egyptians. This regression proved to be painful with severe consequences.

It's impossible to escape the stress and strife that visit each person’s life. However, Christians can face problems with confidence because God never abandons his people regardless of the way stress is defined or of its source. Jesus gives us this invitation: "Come unto me all of you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me and you will find rest for your soul."  Never give up when troubles abound, for God loves you and will send help.  

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I waited patiently for God to help me; then he listened and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the pit of despair, out from the bog and the mire, and set my feet on a hard, firm path and steadied me as I walked along. He has given me a new song to sing, of praises to our God. Now many will hear of the glorious things he did for me, and stand in awe before the Lord, and put their trust in him.

~Psalm 40:1-3 The Living Bible

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Poor Choices Produce Painful Consequences - Part 3

On the first day of my math class as a college freshman, the professor gave us his definition of love. He knew that's why we had come to college and enrolled in his class. Needless to say, he captured our attention because he was both funny and serious by saying, "Love is an outward expression of an inward all-over." Not what we were expecting to hear from an academic.

Human beings need to receive and give love. As a ninth grader, I had serious trouble in school. I made good grades but was too spontaneous in expressing humor, to the point of being threatened with expulsion. My mother’s response was to lay on the guilt. "After all the work and sacrifices I've made, how could you choose to act this way?"

My mother loved me enough to “lay on the guilt.” Love is about pouring yourself out for another person. Titus 3 explains that God generously poured out his love and kindness on us through Jesus Christ, not because we deserved it, but because he wanted to save us and give us purpose for living. Think about that. 

Poor Choices Produce Painful Consequences - Part 2

Most of us want to sail through life without encountering any glitches or troubles. However, we have to admit that the majority of our troubles are self-inflicted by poor choices we’ve made that created painful consequences we can’t seem to avoid. Someone said, "Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgments."

We do have to take responsibility for what we allow our lives to become and confronting a crossroads may be a necessity for change and growth to flow into our lives. A crossroads clearly offers a choice for change and perhaps a step toward turning troubles into opportunities, but the narrowness of the passage can be so confining it may seem impossible to make necessary changes.

Conversely, a crossroads can be our finest hour. By turning to Christ Jesus we discover strength, power, and wisdom to live the life he intends to give us. God's word reminds us that we cannot begin to imagine what great and wonderful treasures God has in store for those who love him. Isn't that exciting to contemplate?    

Poor Choices Produce Painful Consequences - Part 1

Everyone has stood at a crossroads and made choices they regretted. It's at this juncture where decisions may appear overwhelming. A helicopter pilot misjudged a critical situation that preventing him from rescuing a soldier who was consequently killed by enemy fire. The pilot’s self-image began to decline due to guilt for not analyzing the situation correctly.

Listen to his own condemnation. "Not a day goes by that I do not think about the soldier I let die." Compounding his torment was his refusal to share the experience with those who loved him. The only other person who knew what happened was the co-pilot of the helicopter. Secret-keeping results in self-incrimination and secret suffering.

It is possible to make amends for our poor judgment, horrible mistakes, and selfish, sinful acts against others. Jesus instruct us to go to those people and make things right, whatever is required. Where this cannot be done, confess your fallibility and sinful weaknesses to Christ Jesus. Then seek his forgiveness and comfort. This is the beginning of healing for your soul.  

Choosing Compassion and Forgiveness - Part 2

The parable of the prodigal son is interesting because it raises issues that  are familiar to everyone. It's impossible to perfectly chart a course for one's life without making a few wrong turns or occasionally stumbling into a stinking hog pen. Unwise choices and decisions often produce painful consequences.

The older son in this parable sees his father as excessively lenient on his younger brother, whom he identifies as a slacker. This older, responsible son is angry because his brother needs to face the consequences of his foolish behavior and choices rather than being coddled and indulged. Some have characterized the older brother as jealous and narcissistic in addition to being greedy.

It's possible to get so stuck in negative emotions that feelings of love and compassion are beyond reach, but this is a lonely road to travel. There is, however, deliverance and help for anyone who would respond to God's love. He unhesitatingly gave Jesus, his most prized possession, for our redemption.