We will be combining days 6  and 7 of The Challenge
into one post on Colossians 3:6-7.

~

“For which things’ sake the wrath of God
cometh on the children of disobedience:
In the which ye also walked some time,
when ye lived in them.”

~

ChristmasIt was dark outside, and still. From the outside in, the family style Christmas tree with homemade ornaments and many strings of lights could be seen through the windows in the back of the house. The fire was brightly burning inside the family room and much activity held place here. ‘Twas the season to celebrate! Though company had just left the home, ever one of the family was still awake. The youngest of the large crew, a lively 1 ½ year old, curly haired girl toddled from one place to the next, exuding energy wherever she went.

On this particular night, in the midst of the hubbub of games and excitement, she ambled up to a wooden coffee table in between two chairs on the side of the room. Catching her immediate attention was a glass-held candle which she gingerly picked up in her tiny little hands. She studied it for a brief moment. Then however, she was suddenly distracted by a burst of excitement from across the room, and the candle dropped from her hands and onto the floor. Not yet broken, the candle was placed back on the table, still in good reach.

She knew her father was watching her from the next chair, and closely too. Continuing to eye her father’s gaze , she reached for the candle a second time. “No Janie.” Her father had reached over to remove her hand from reaching it.

Almost immediately and deliberately testing him, she tried her feat one last time. “No, no.” Still the girl inched her hand forward.

Seeing the she was decided in her disobedient ways, her father quickly grasped her hand in his, and smacked it hard enough for the young one to realize that he wasn’t kidding.

CandleMy father knew the dangers of a candle to a child so young and unlearned. My little sister was not able to appreciate the smell of the candle, or how it could burn. This image could easily represent us in our sin and ignorance. It also shows a lack of foresight, lack of obedience, and lack of dependence. At first, we engage in our sin, and sometimes, like a spoiled child, we’ll do just about anything to get our own way. Only later do we feel the burn of the flame or the throb of the weight when it comes crashing back down on us.

God, just as a father, has a desire to deliver us from the hurt and disappointment that comes as a result of sin. This is why we are called to walk as children of light. I would simply encourage you to live according to your high calling in Christ with blind and unreserved obedience. Examine yourself to see if there is something in your life that is not pleasing to the Lord in any way. Set the bar high!

~ Mandy Graham

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This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 6th, 2010 at 6:00 am and is filed under Memorization Challenge. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.