by Sandra Hansen

During a Rochester winter, sledding is a popular activity. You hop on a sled and you have to push, push, push with lots of effort, to get it going. And all of a sudden, you hit that point where the sled takes off-whoosh! The sled takes on a life of its own and you can’t get off, even if you wanted to do so, without a tumble and a fall.

Sin is like that. You start out innocently looking for comfort and ease, then a few decisions later, the easy way out becomes the focus, instead of God, and sin springs forth.

In today’s reading, King Jeroboam encouraged the people to trade comfort for righteousness. He tells the people, “It is too much for you to go into Jerusalem” (v.28) to worship. The people knew what God said about where to worship. Then after seeking advice, Jeroboam provided idols for the people in the form of two golden calves in nearby locales. Was that what God told them to do? The people made the choice to worship the idols Jeroboam offered instead of obeying God. “And this thing became a sin.”(v. 30)

People aren’t so different across the ages. We still make choices. The easy lure of sin is there. Bad advice abounds. Sometimes it even seems logical- Jerusalem is sort of far away. How can we stay on track and try to avoid an easy slide?

One of the questions I continually ask myself is ‘What is my motivation?’ Jeroboam wanted to remain king, not serve the King. So many people today do things out of selfish ambition myself included. “Why?” is a very good question. It can stop you from doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.

Another good question is “Whose advice am I taking?” We have so many voices to listen to these days. Self help books abound. Dr. Phil, Oprah, and Dear Abby all have something to say. Some of it even sounds Christian! I try and check out my plans with several different people to provide sort of a check and balance.

Keeping our eyes focused on God can be tough. But He has promised keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you .Isaiah 26:3 (New International Version)

Your fellow traveler,
Sandy