Unshackled Echo ~ July 28, 2018 ~ Grab A Better Bike

Today's Unshackled Echo was previously published on

March 19, 2015.

I know this is a joke, it's humor, but there's a truth in it that's heartbreaking. This is an attitude that I can relate to all too easily. We have become ingrained with the idea that gratification should be instant and that we should have what we want to the point that it overpowers everything else in life. The salt of selfishness, of what's in it for me, of take care of me first has been poured to heavily into our food, It's all we can taste most times, and we've forgotten what food is supposed to taste like without it, how much better it can taste, what life is really all about. 

If we do a+b+c, then we feel we have the right to demand that God do D. If we want to live for ourselves for a moment, not all the time, just this once, we do it. After all, it's easier to get forgiveness than permission. If God doesn't answer our prayer, our way and now, if not yesterday, then we quickly turn to some selfish pleasure or desire to feel better or we'll try to play God and answer the prayer for ourselves.

We've become selfish spoiled children spiritually, and it's sad. Because while living this way will hurt others, we're really robbing and hurting ourselves the most. If  we were great at being selfish instead of just good at it, we wouldn't settle for the trash we grab.We could have the best. God wants to give us something so much better than a bike. And that doesn't mean He always denies us the bike. I've gotten some pretty nice "bikes" (what I want) from God these last few years, and each one has been a better bike than I could steal, 

When we deny self and live for God, we get more. Make sense? It doesn't make sense to me either, but it's true. I look at my life today and feel like, "Wow, all this and heaven too!" Whereas when I lived like the boy pictured above, pleasure felt so fleeting, and misery my norm. There is a better way. Grab a better bike by waiting to see what Daddy plans to surprise you with. 

Abba, help me to wait on You for what You have for me. Help me not to live for my own desires and whims. I know that what You want to give me is better than even what I want for myself, and when they are the same, then Your way and timing makes it something that lasts longer and fit perfectly. Today I will, with Your help and by Your grace, act like Your loving, respectful child and not like a selfish, spoiled brat. Amen 

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