Examples

This was given by the photographer as a "bad example of  framing"

I’ve been reading in Numbers.  Reading about Balaam reminded me that he’s mentioned in many other books – Joshua, Nehemiah, Micah, 2 Peter, Jude, Revelation – and it’s always as an example of how not to be. I’ve mentioned him two times just this year and first posted Balaam’s story in 2009.

He’s one among many whose names have gone down in history – the wrong way. Some have been used for thousands of years as examples of bad responses to God’s commands.

Who wants to be known as a Cain?  All that was necessary for Cain to do was sacrifice to the Lord with a right heart.  He couldn’t and is used as another example in Jude.

It doesn’t take something as evil as killing one’s own brother – who wants to be known as Lot?  Looking for the best, moving closer and closer to evil, it eventually cost him everything.

I recently wrote of Tobiah – who wants to be remembered as he is remembered?  A man determined to thwart God’s will, even to living in God’s house.

The Bible has plenty of these examples and we continue to follow them instead of those who responded to God’s commands.  While we really don’t want to be these examples of the bad, we really don’t want to be a Peter or Paul.  We want someone else to be both the really bad examples and the really good ones.  Doesn’t that make us lukewarm?

So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation 3:16 KJV)

I’d rather have His attention in a positive way. I’d rather have Him searching my heart, cleansing it and leading my path.  To do so requires that I continue listening and learning.  Otherwise I, too, become lukewarm and worthless.

He has told us:  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:30 KJV) and we have chosen to lift heavier burdens alone, without His help. 

Our responses are also used as examples.  Our children see our examples as they grow up.  Our neighbors pay attention to our decisions, as do others around us.  Co-workers are aware of our examples, they know our work ethics and they know their source.  We are surrounded by our communities of interest and interaction.

Our beliefs are displayed in our daily lives.  We do need to be aware of what we want others to know – and whether we are getting that message across.  How will our example be remembered?