I'm an idiot. I think you know that already, but here's the latest proof.
I'm at the office where my wife and I work. I had just picked up (not literally) my 3-year old from her pre-school class. I then picked her up (literally) and walked down to my wife's office where she and my 6-year old son were. Seeing that they were ready to go home for lunch, we all began walking out towards our vehicle.
Since we both work at a church, we rarely leave without someone stopping to ask one of us a question. (I know, we're so important.) This day was no exception. The question was for my wife, which meant it was my task to keep the kids focused and acting as normal as possible. As she finished, I thought I saw my 3-year old walk into one of the rooms. I followed her in and called her name. She wasn't in there, so I turned to ask my wife where our daughter went. She gave me a look that asked if I was a retard. The answer, of course, is a resounding yes. The daughter in question was still in my arms, now smiling at her dad, wondering how soon it might be before she was taking care of me.
I could say that I had some worthy excuse, but let's face it...it's really difficult to overlook something in your arms. I'm certain I'm not alone in this. I've seen people looking for their keys that were in their hand, sunglasses that were on their head, or a wallet that was in their pocket. Granted, these are not living things, but still.
We, as Christians, often do this as well. We have Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), an indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), and giver of every perfect gift (James 1:17), yet we look for happiness somewhere else.
When we forget to spend time with our Friend and then wonder why we feel alone, we are looking for something we already have. When we allow anxiety and bitterness to rule our lives and then ask for peace, we are looking for something we already have. When we choose to make our own decisions and go our own way, and then wonder why we don't have more wisdom, we are looking for something we already have.
When we live like this, we make two critical errors, and possibly more. For starters, we overlook the Giver and all He has done for us. If we spend our time looking for things we already have, we cannot possibly be thanking Him at the same time. Secondly, we waste a lot of time.
The cries to live victoriously can already be heard. As Paul said, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:3-6).
I'm at the office where my wife and I work. I had just picked up (not literally) my 3-year old from her pre-school class. I then picked her up (literally) and walked down to my wife's office where she and my 6-year old son were. Seeing that they were ready to go home for lunch, we all began walking out towards our vehicle.
Since we both work at a church, we rarely leave without someone stopping to ask one of us a question. (I know, we're so important.) This day was no exception. The question was for my wife, which meant it was my task to keep the kids focused and acting as normal as possible. As she finished, I thought I saw my 3-year old walk into one of the rooms. I followed her in and called her name. She wasn't in there, so I turned to ask my wife where our daughter went. She gave me a look that asked if I was a retard. The answer, of course, is a resounding yes. The daughter in question was still in my arms, now smiling at her dad, wondering how soon it might be before she was taking care of me.
I could say that I had some worthy excuse, but let's face it...it's really difficult to overlook something in your arms. I'm certain I'm not alone in this. I've seen people looking for their keys that were in their hand, sunglasses that were on their head, or a wallet that was in their pocket. Granted, these are not living things, but still.
We, as Christians, often do this as well. We have Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2), an indescribable gift (2 Corinthians 9:15), and giver of every perfect gift (James 1:17), yet we look for happiness somewhere else.
When we forget to spend time with our Friend and then wonder why we feel alone, we are looking for something we already have. When we allow anxiety and bitterness to rule our lives and then ask for peace, we are looking for something we already have. When we choose to make our own decisions and go our own way, and then wonder why we don't have more wisdom, we are looking for something we already have.
When we live like this, we make two critical errors, and possibly more. For starters, we overlook the Giver and all He has done for us. If we spend our time looking for things we already have, we cannot possibly be thanking Him at the same time. Secondly, we waste a lot of time.
The cries to live victoriously can already be heard. As Paul said, "I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus" (Philippians 1:3-6).
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