I Want What I Want When I Want it..You?

Years ago, when I was HR director for a manufacturing company, one of our top candidates was also interviewing at our competitor’s company. I remember the VP of Operations telling me, “Offer him more money. Everyone has their price.” While I can’t remember now if we got the candidate, I do remember that phrase, and unfortunately, have seen it ring true too often.

We human beings too frequently sell our character to the world’s highest bidder.

Sometimes it’s both parents working full-time to afford more stuff (bigger house, newer cars, nicer clothes for us or kids, camps for them, etc.) and letting  day care workers or coaches engage with our kids more than we do. Or so we can haul them from one activity to another, believing the busyness lies and not giving anyone enough down time to interact or hear God’s voice. This article on a book by David Code on what happens to our kids when we are stressed out should cause any parent to STOP.   Seriously, read the article. It blew me away.

It gives new meaning to “tearing down our house with our own hands.”     

Or pursuing a higher paying job that takes a ton of our time, so we can buy more for our family, when what would really make them happy is more time with us.

If we measure wealth by the world’s standards, we do it in dollar signs and pleasures. If we measure by God’s standards, it’s quality of relationships.

And just so you know, if you have to work just so you and your kids can eat, that’s a different deal.

But if we “have” to eat caviar, “have” to own the latest styles, jewelry, etc., or “have” to have the big house and new cars, well, that’s something else entirely.

Just so you know, I’m not beyond reproach or immune to the world, either. I recently made a frivolous, irresponsible fashion purchase. I also returned it. I shouldn’t have bought it in the first place, but after I did, couldn’t justify keeping it and it bugged the tar out of me until I sent it back.

Often, we don’t even see these things as “worldly wisdom,” or sacrificing our character.

Sometimes it’s changing “the rules” to accommodate a friend, or silence a whining child who’s getting on our nerves at the moment.

Or a “little white lie,” to avoid a conflict.

Sometimes it’s just being inconsistent, so much so that we become untrustworthy.

Or doing something immoral or unethical to “land a deal,” or “win the approval” of another person.

Or justifying any of our sinful thoughts or behaviors instead of listening to God’s Truth.

Proverbs 4 tells us to “get wisdom,” and this morning, while reading James 3:13-18, was reminded that there are “two kinds of wisdom.”

Worldly wisdom and Biblical wisdom – do you know the difference? God promises to give us wisdom if we ask for it – and tells us in James 4 that friendship with the world is hatred towards God.

Ouch.

Last night, while tucking the edges of covers around my 10 year old, she asked me, “Mommy, why does everything always turn into a conversation about God with you? It’s like He’s everything or something to you.”

Glad she noticed. J She’s right.

I won’t bore you with the details of my answer, but much of it is talked about in James. Dare you to read it today – and tomorrow – and the next day. GOBS to chew on here.

Oh, that we would remember the ironic Truth that is written on our own currency!

The point I want to make is this – we aren’t even aware sometimes of how influenced by the world we are. Pray for wisdom, for discernment, and ask God to help you 1) in your unbelief, 2) lining up your will with His, and 3) making the right choices in the day-to-day opportunities that present themselves.

Begin by carving out 15 minutes in the morning to read and pray with an open heart, one that listens to what He would have you do with what you read.

Dare you.

It will change everything.

Double dog dare you to “subscribe” and join us on the journey, or invite a friend by email or sharing with Twitter or Facebook. J

SO very glad you are here!

Love to you,

~Nina