Psalm 146:3-9
Don’t put your life in the hands of experts
who know nothing of life, of salvation life.
Mere humans don’t have what it takes;
when they die, their projects die with them.
Instead, get help from the God of Jacob,
put your hope in God and know real blessing!
God made sky and soil,
sea and all the fish in it.
He always does what he says—
he defends the wronged,
he feeds the hungry.
God frees prisoners—
he gives sight to the blind,
he lifts up the fallen.
God loves good people, protects strangers,
takes the side of orphans and widows,
but makes short work of the wicked.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
Sunday morning, Timothy came stomping into the bathroom where I was dressing for church. “Aunt Debbie,” he said indignantly, “Uncle Greg just called me a ‘stinker’!” I asked Timothy what he had done, and he replied, “But I’m hungry!” He had been opening the kitchen cabinets and drawers to scavenge for a snack! And truly, he comes by his “stinker” trait honestly. My Mam-ma Polly… Timothy’s great-great-grandmother, could really be a stinker at times. Take for instance the summer day that I grocery shopped for her, and she put Clorox® bleach on her list. It was at least 103 in the shade, and I had planned to shop at Wal-Mart. Clorox® bleach was on sale at a grocery store across town – for ten cents less. I told Mam-ma that I would just get her the store brand, because it was even cheaper. She went into a tailspin! It had to be Clorox®! I told her that “bleach is bleach”… but she vehemently disagreed. To “seal the deal”, she added a loaf of bread to her list – Best Choice… sold only at the store where the bleach was a dime cheaper! So of course, I did what any respectful grand-daughter would do… I trekked across town to the other store and bought her Clorox® bleach and the loaf of bread!
I come from a long line of “stinkers”… and we are all “brand snobs” about certain things. I will only use Hellmann’s REAL mayonnaise, and my chili flavoring of choice is Williams. My brother was a “brand snob” about several food items, and he, my dad, and my Mam-ma’s boyfriend all had major – and differing – opinions about which brand of canned pork ‘n beans was the best! And while each of us has preferences about certain things… or silly notions, ideas and opinions about this or that (and feel that OUR opinion is the RIGHT one!)…the world will not fall apart if we prefer Bush’s beans over Van de Kamp’s… or Kraft Mayo over Hellmann’s. It won’t even matter whether we use a generic bleach or the Clorox® brand!
But when it comes to our life – both on this earth and for all eternity… in the matter of where we place our hope… it matters greatly who we listen to and trust. You don’t have to look very far to get a zillion opinions. Some will tell you that you must attend this church or that one… that you must memorize scripture or perform certain rituals. Others will say that it doesn’t really matter – there are many ways to God and plenty of paths to heaven. Do NOT accept any imitations in your faith walk. Do not listen to those who speak of anything other than God’s word and time spent in His presence to determine what HE is saying to you. Study, pray, listen and learn for yourself! Don’t leave this up to anyone else!
Just because your friends and family members prefer “Brand A” faith doesn’t make it right for you any more than your taste buds are better suited to one store brand over another. You may be swayed by the media and peer pressure to purchase certain brands, to support a particular political party, and even to drive a certain kind of car. You may do everything you can to fit in with others in society…to conform to what others tell you is “normal” and “expected.” But I am telling you this… in matters of your heart, your soul, and your eternity… all the hype in the world is exactly that - puff and fluff. Stick with the REAL DEAL… put your hope in God Almighty. Trust the teachings and actions of Jesus Christ… believe in His sacrifices for you on the cross, and in the hope of a place in His presence someday in heaven.
If you must be a “stinker”, be one for God! Insist on Him and nothing else. Make Him your “brand of choice”… your only hope… and never waver. You can always trust Him to give you the best results… to bless you immeasurably and never steer you down the wrong path. God is worth the “drive across town”… His love and care is literally the biggest savings of your life!
Who are you listening to these days? Are you swayed by the message of “experts”… or are you clinging to the words and wisdom of God Almighty? Are you secure in the hope of heaven and God’s promises? Isn’t it time you were?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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