One day I set out looking for real ice cream. I wanted strawberry the kind with those big pieces of real fruit, surrounded by strawberry cream. Therefore, I set out in search of my craving, with plans to drive downtown. For surely the sophisticated people who can afford to pay top dollar for real strawberry are found downtown.
After reaching the soda shop, I parked myself at the counter and waited for services. A young man approached, “what will it be” he said. I want a real strawberry ice cream, I replied. The attended moved down the counter to open the storage unit where all of the real ice cream was, cold and frosty. My lips poked out and a small sigh of agony released in a breath of anticipation. I wanted that cold strawberry taste sliding into my mouth over my tongue and melting into what I know was sure bliss. A loud thud with a small shaking of the counter, where I sat woke me from the blissful state. I looked up and the young man stood there as if he was going to eat my real strawberry ice cream right in front of me. “Is this to go?” he barked. “No,” I said. His arm extended and I retrieved the strawberry ice cream cone from him and quickly lashed my tongue across it. The taste was what I’ve waited for all day, but something was not right. The taste was different. I pulled the cone from my lips, looked at it and sure enough there was the strawberry right in front of my eyes. I slowly placed the cone to my lips and brushed my tongue to the ice cream. At that moment I knew, it had a strawberry taste however, neither real strawberry flavor nor the chunks of strawberry pieces.
Settling for fake imitation in substitute for the real thing is a deprived way to live. Many people settle for imitation throughout their lives. Politicians settle for less by not raising new revenues and cutting useful projects aim for underserved individuals and the elderly. Corporation kept worker wages down by right-sizing experienced worker and pushing work oversees all for profit. These things aren’t new. These people are beholden to the world and not to right living. Just like God told Judah and Israel to stop worship imitation idols. To turn to right living for He was the real thing, not an imitation. Israel and Judah scoff and disobeyed Gods call, therefore judgment came, 70- years of captivity. Just as with Judah and Israel, so it is for the politicians and corporations. How much of the real success have you traded away for the things that do not last? If politicians and corporation follow unwise advice, they trade healthy bodies for momentary excitement, personal integrity for fast-fading wealth, honesty for lies, God’s word, and wise guidance for our selfish ways is good for all life. Living counterfeit lives may fool some people, but they never fool God.
People, trash-talk, or playing the dozens better than anyone on the planet isn’t going to solve exuberant life-style or sin. Come on people do what is right and move beyond the current human experience to help one another. Start living right in the eyes of God for as in the time of the past God will humble you before Him just as He humbled Israel and Judah for Seventy years.
Should God allow our vineyard to go barren for a generation when would we start to recover from our ill-advised actions? Can you say with certitude after 70-years of financial servitude that nations can reclaim the salt of the earth? Neither of us knows what will transpire over the next two weeks. I pray and let go and let God lead those into right action.
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