NOTE: I began this post July 10th in Jefferson City early in the morning before the Executive Board meeting. Hey, I'm not the fastest writer.
I'm sitting at Dunn bros coffee enjoying my just roasted and brewed coffee, listening to some modern beatnik music on the PA, typing on my iPad. I'm even wearing my birkenstocks! I feel very hip...actually I'm not that impressed with my surroundings or the ambiance. I'm not here for the "I want to support coffee farmers in third world countries thru free trade programs" attitude. I've been in third world countries and I'm not impressed by that program either. Then why be here!? Cause I like coffee, or more accurately, I'm addicted to coffee and I'm addicted to really good coffee. I have a coffee jones. There, I admitted it, I'm an addict. You know, "Hello, my name is Eric and I'm a ..." I'm not sure if it's just a physical addiction or psychological addiction. Probably both.
My addiction knows no bounds, I'll go to crazy lengths to get a cup. Drive out of the way, plan a trip with coffee stops along the way, even going without regular coffee if I cant get my fix of the good stuff. Eric, you may say, why not just drink regular coffee, it's all the same isn't it? Well in fact it's not the same.
This little caveat brings us to a reality, we are all addicts of something. Food, coffee, books, hobbies, family, job, STUFF. And when you have an addiction, you become a connoisseur of that addiction. Coffee isn't just coffee anymore. There's different types of beans, different roasting methods, different tastes, etc. We break down our addiction so it becomes easier to rationalize. I suppose we think if we sound intelligent about our addictions, it's not an addiction it's a choice. You know, a well thought out, researched and informed choice.
Intelligent people can't be addicts or controlled by anything. They're to well informed and smart. Those Wile E. Coyote addictions need not apply here, this Road Runner is too swift for your likes!
In truth, humans are predictable. And I mean very predictable. Otherwise marketing departments would be out of business. We are too simple, press a button here on an emotion and presto we react in a predictable manner. Satan knows this, all he has to do is wait for us. We become our own worst enemy. And it doesn't even have to be a big temptation just a moment forgetfulness or distraction. Now, I know we aren't perfect, that's not the point. The point is when you do fall, repent and ask God to forgive with one caveat, don't do it again.
It's one thing to slip up, it's another when you do the same thing over and over again. Which brings me back to the beginning. We are all addicts of something, which means we are always going to slip up. If that bothers you then good, it should. But don't go breakin' God's heart and try and fix your own problems. Let His grace cover you. Let me describe this as a dialogue:
Me/You: God I did it again! I can't believe this, and I thought I was paying attention.
God: You were, but you aren't perfect.
Me/You: But I'm suppose to be perfect like you and Jesus are. I've got to try harder. I promise I'll do better.
God: And where has that gotten you so far?
Me/You: Well, close anyway. I'm missing something some where.
God: You are, Me.
Me/You: But, I want to please you.
God: You are. Trust me, I got this one. What you've been doing will only take you so far. And you still have a long way to go. I have to make up the difference.
Me/You: But that means I'm weak!
God: Yes you are.
Me/You: I want to be strong!
God: You will be in Me not in you. It's OK. My Grace is sufficient.
Intelligent people can't be addicts or controlled by anything. They're to well informed and smart. Those Wile E. Coyote addictions need not apply here, this Road Runner is too swift for your likes!
In truth, humans are predictable. And I mean very predictable. Otherwise marketing departments would be out of business. We are too simple, press a button here on an emotion and presto we react in a predictable manner. Satan knows this, all he has to do is wait for us. We become our own worst enemy. And it doesn't even have to be a big temptation just a moment forgetfulness or distraction. Now, I know we aren't perfect, that's not the point. The point is when you do fall, repent and ask God to forgive with one caveat, don't do it again.
It's one thing to slip up, it's another when you do the same thing over and over again. Which brings me back to the beginning. We are all addicts of something, which means we are always going to slip up. If that bothers you then good, it should. But don't go breakin' God's heart and try and fix your own problems. Let His grace cover you. Let me describe this as a dialogue:
Me/You: God I did it again! I can't believe this, and I thought I was paying attention.
God: You were, but you aren't perfect.
Me/You: But I'm suppose to be perfect like you and Jesus are. I've got to try harder. I promise I'll do better.
God: And where has that gotten you so far?
Me/You: Well, close anyway. I'm missing something some where.
God: You are, Me.
Me/You: But, I want to please you.
God: You are. Trust me, I got this one. What you've been doing will only take you so far. And you still have a long way to go. I have to make up the difference.
Me/You: But that means I'm weak!
God: Yes you are.
Me/You: I want to be strong!
God: You will be in Me not in you. It's OK. My Grace is sufficient.
Crazy Grace
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