Monday, January 2, 2012

The Big O!

When you were little, did you ever disobey one of your parents?

I remember well the first time I disobeyed my mom. I was about six-years old and we were shopping in a five-and-dime store....now I've dated myself since very few five-and-dimes exist anymore.

I'd asked her to buy me some bubbles, but she said no. I wanted them desperately, because I loved the little wand. I was so mad she wouldn't let me have them, that I swiped them and hid them in my pocket when she wasn't looking.



When we got back to the car, they rolled out of my pocket and onto the floorboard. My brother saw them and waved them in the air. I tried to keep him quiet (I vividly remember that) but he made a huge fuss, asking why I was the only one who got bubbles. My mom was furious about my thievery and I was upset...but only because I got caught.

She grabbed me by the arm, dragged me and the bubbles back into the store and reported me to the manager. I remember being mortified and terrified as I made my apology.

I learned a great lesson about shoplifting that day.

Becoming and remaining Unstuck in our lives depends on the principle of observing Christ's commands. Look at what Jesus says about it in Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV):

Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Now look at how the same passage is rendered in the KJV:

All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."


If I really loved my mother that day in the five-and-dime, I would have listened to her and respected her decision to deny my lust for the bubbles. But I didn't, and I paid the price. Now, I don't know if she had a good reason to deny me or not, but I obviously knew she was in authority over me or I wouldn't have snuck them.

I delved deeper and went into the Greek Lexicon and found the word observe means to keep, guard, hold to.

Think of that!

God has entrusted us, his children with the responsibility of guarding his very words and instructions. You can be sure I'll be digging into the commands of Christ as I go through this new year and will record them for you.

I'm praying that this will be an amazing year of becoming more like Christ every day!

1 comment:

  1. I will say this, my 1st experience shoplifting (at the age of 6) was very similar. Very.

    Thanks for the reminder.

    Did I ever mention that I love the sport of Fencing? I really do. I see that I can live out the art of "Fencing" in my real life.

    ON GUARD!!!

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