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Why Do I Do What I Do?? |
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None of us get by without wanting to smack ourself once in awhile as we question, “Why did I do that?!” Whether its dumping a cup of coffee or more seriously, making a decision - taking an action - that will effect our lives (hopefully only a short period of time) possibly forever. Sometimes it’s a careless comment that hurts someone; or, brings seemingly irreparable damage to a relationship. Fortunately, the majority of the time it revolves around the social arenas of our lives. Occasionally it comes to play in the physical fields. One gentleman while driving his brand new 1968 Grand Prix looked over his shoulder to check on his daughter sleeping in the back seat. When he turned back around he saw just outside his front windshield an oncoming vehicle he could not avoid. He had crossed the yellow line on a curve. One of the victims of his decision survived; the 18 year old female college student did not. Her life was over. Why of all times did he look over his shoulder? As horrific as that accident was Barbie Qualls was ready for heaven. If you were snatched out without warning in the next hour, would you be ready to go? Even more devastating can be the moral decisions we make - to take a drink, experiment with drugs, give in to that urge for sexual pleasure. Just once - it won't hurt. Everone is doing it. Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why? Why?Why?We are left living with the regret, remorse, blame, and guilt. Some things are just accidents, plain and simple. Like when I dumped my coffee on my desk while staring at the computer screen and reaching for a note pad. If I compare that to the auto accident that took an innocent life; I get some similarities; yet producing results, at extreme opposite ends of the line. Carelessness, in both cases, that could have been prevented by more focus – paying better attention to a task. Some are always trying to take short cuts rather than pulling over and doing it right. First Case, a messy desk and ruined papers; second case, destroyed property and a life lost. We have the same events playing out in our moral and spiritual lives everyday that are not always so noticeable. These decisions usually impact us far greater than we can see until its too late. They seem almost casual in their beginnings. The foods we eat, the alcohol and other drugs we consume. The group of friends we decide to hang with dispite that taunting feeling inside, whispering, "don't do it." We choose to take a chance on that guy or girl because they are popular, or they're ‘exciting.’ One of the most aggressive and sold out Christians of all times had these same problems. Read Romans Chapter 7 in the New Testament. Paul felt trapped in an unending spiral that was taking him ever downward. What his heart and mind told him he should do; he found himself doing the very opposite. The very things he knew he should NEVER do; he did. He cries out at the end of the chapter, “Oh, wretched man, that I am – WHO shall DELIVER me from this vicious cycle!!” Let me encourage you here, I have read the end of the book and there is an answer, for those who choose to break the chain. That book called, Holy Bible, is so very, very, full of instructions and wisdom. Hey, you don't even have to read it. The Bible can be read to us from CDs, audiotapes, VHS, or even DVDs! On our computers we can read along as we listen. We have NO excuse. The Words in the Bible are compared to seeds. Let's think about that for a moment. I present to you two seeds, one in my right hand and one in my left. It’s simple enough; all you have to do is pick the one that is a plant and the one that is a weed. Ah, it's not so easy, is it? Yet, that is the source of our problems for the most part. When we are young, our minds are being filled daily with seeds that we cannot begin to discern the effects they will have. By the time we are old, the field, the garden of our mind can be completely overrun by weeds. We may then feel helpless. Overwhelmed and decide to accept our fate. (Luke 8 & Matthew 13:24-43) In MOST cases the bad plants grow-up mixed with the good. It isn't until later that we can Identify them - and we have to deal with them then. Here's example of an innocent weed-seed. A seven year old boy is riding in the back seat of the car on the way to church, when he hears his Mom say to his Dad, "If you're asked about the study material, remember, I told the pastor’s wife I was sick all week." That was the seed; small and innocent. Now, how does the plant look when the seven year old is now 45? At the office his secretary says, “I’m sorry he's not here right now,” while all the time she is looking right at him standing in front of her desk making hand signals for her to lie so he won’t have to take the call. He grew up with those types of seeds lodging in his brain. He learned that Church and God, ethics and morals, take a backseat to our personal needs. If lying makes life a little easier for us, it's somehow okay. (Continued Next Week -- Part 2) |