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Something Good, Something Bad
By Alyson Pamer “This
was all very interesting, but my main question was: Do airbags cut off
kid’s heads?” After driving to pick up one of my sister’s young friends, I was
surprised to see the kid jump in the back seat, even though the front seat was
free. Used to breaking up fights
over who gets the front, I had to ask what was up.
His one word reply was delivered with a knowing look.
“Airbag” he said solemnly. Though I have never claimed to be a car expert, I was almost positive
air bags were installed to protect people in the front seat, not the back. “Not for kids” the boy replied.
“They cut kid’s heads off.” It
was after that revelation that I decided my sister and her friends would have to
find a new chauffeur. The underlying irony of this incident forced me to do
some research. Of course, airbags were designed to protect people from serious
injury, but they have become a symbol of fear and concern for many passengers.
Although airbags can cause injury, they are doing more good than harm.
A person in a high-speed car collision is twice as likely to have a
severe head injury in a car without an airbag than those with an airbag.
This information was all very interesting, but of course my main research
question was: “Do airbags cut off kid’s heads?”
Much to my relief, the answer is no¾unless
the child is not following the guidelines for proper use of the bags. When an
airbag is used improperly or in spite of the regulations that come with it, a
person can suffer severe injury or even death. Airbags, as innocent and safe as they seem, are lethal if used improperly. Something good turning bad
I’ve often heard these same words used to describe people. Many people have let a good job or a good relationship draw them away from God. No matter how good or important or useful something may be, if it interferes with our relationship with Jesus Christ, it is something good turned bad. Saul, the first king of Israel, fell victim to this truth. I Samuel 17 describes Saul as a soldier in the Lord’s army. Many ancient kings would not go into the heat of the battle, but Saul was always there with his men. His love for fighting and winning the victory was one of Saul’s strengths, but when he let that love for fighting the Lord’s battles turn into self-pride, the goodness of fighting for God became the wickedness of jealousy and bitterness. I Samuel 18:6-8 tells us that when the children of Israel praised young David for slaying “his ten thousands,” Saul became jealous of David’s success. Saul had made the mistake of letting something good turn into something bad. Eventually, this mistake would cause an evil spirit from God to come upon Saul. Saul lost his relationship with his son, his kingdom, and even God because of the bitterness that developed. Resisting the
temptation to let life’s good things overpower life’s Best thing
David, the object of Saul’s jealousy and possibly
the greatest King in Israel’s history, teaches us how to keep God centered in
our life. ·
David
took an active role in worshiping God. While
Saul was depending on singers and harpists to praise the Lord for him, David was
doing his part by singing and writing psalms to God for himself.
As a young shepherd, David spent hours with God and His creation as his
only companions. It was in these
quiet times David became a true worshiper.
Praises such as, “The Heavens declare the glory of God.” (Psalm 19.1) were not
written by a court musician or poet, but by David himself.
If we want God to remain the most important priority in our lives, we
must take an active part in our relationship with Him. God will draw nigh to us
when we draw nigh to him. (James 4.8) The
blessings and joy of fellowship with God are waiting for us if we will actively
draw nigh unto Him. ·
David
kept God in the center of his life by constantly searching his own heart for
anything that did not please God. He
writes, “Search me, O God, and know my
heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm
139: 23-24) David understood the
necessity of self-examination. It
is human nature to let the cares of life take priority over the care of our
spirit. We need to check our
priorities daily if we hope to live a God-centered life. ·
David
refused to let any person, any position or any victory become a god in his life.
Another psalm sings, “Among the gods
there is none like unto thee, O Lord, neither are there any works like unto thy
works.” (Psalm 86:8)
Like David, we must realize that there is nothing in this life as great
or as important as our relationship with God.
There are so many things being elevated to
godlike-status in our culture. Idolatry,
though not in the traditional form, is more alive in the year 2000 than ever
before. As a counselor-in-training,
I see people every day that have made a god of their mental-health issues.
They behave, live and speak of nothing but themselves.
Personal issues, feelings and past traumas have become a god to them.
The same is true in the world of sports, education, fashion and others.
As Christians, we must be devoted to remaining God-focused in a me
world. Taking an active role in worship, searching our heart for sin, and
keeping our lives God-centered will help us keep the blessings, promotions,
gifts and benefits of serving God from becoming a roadblock to our spiritual
walk. No matter how good these
things are, our relationship with Christ must take precedent if we want to live
an overcoming life for Him. My sister’s friend may declare that, “Something
good turned into something bad” about my airbag, but I pray that he can never
say that about my walk with God. ninetyandnine.com
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2000, Alyson Pamer --------- Alyson Pamer is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in Counseling from the University of Akron (Ohio). At the Apostolic Church of Barberton she serves as an office manager, youth secretary, copy-machine technician, and all-the-jobs-that-do-not-fit-anyone-else's-job-description person. Her current schedule leaves her with free-time between the hours of 2 a.m. to 3 a.m. on Thursdays. Have an opinion on an article? Let us know how you feel! Click feedback & fill us in. |
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