Have it Your Way

A Series on Living in the Wilderness
 (Use the link below to read the verses.)
Genesis 3:1-19

 [In this series we will be looking at people who lived in the wilderness. Not necessarily a wilderness of natural creation, but a wilderness of their own creation. In fact, there are times when we all feel like we are living in the wilderness. During those times, it’s important to remember that the Lord is still with us.]

 

In 2014, Burger King scrapped its 40-year-old slogan of "Have It Your Way" in favor of the more personal motto, "Be Your Way." At the time they released a statement that the new motto is intended to remind people that "they can and should live how they want anytime”. Hmm. Interesting.

 

Don’t both of these slogans seem to appeal to an entitled consumer? Have it your way because you’re entitled. “You deserve a break today”, to quote another burger chain slogan. If I deserve to have it my way, what else do I deserve? That could be the question that Adam and Eve asked themselves in the Garden.

 

They lived in perfect harmony with nature, each other and the Lord who created them. He provided everything they needed. They felt no guilt or shame; no jealousy or envy; no hate or vengefulness. Their life was perfect. They had everything they needed or wanted. But apparently it wasn’t enough. They still felt entitled.

 

⁴ “You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. ⁵ “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”

⁶ The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.           NLT

 

What was the result of their actions of entitlement? Adam and Eve were thrown out of paradise, and into the wilderness. Why would they do such a thing? Certainly, you nor I would have. Wrong!

 

Who hasn’t felt entitled to cut someone off in traffic; to say something hurtful to someone; to tell a half truth, or leave out the whole truth, when it’s to our benefit; to act out a self-serving behavior that gets us what we want. And, like Adam and Eve, entitlement can result in us living in the wilderness.

 

Thankfully, the Lord has promised a new home for us to go to that will be every much as perfect as Eden. Not because we are entitled to it, but because He loves us no matter what. And because of that love, He sent His one and only son to make it possible.

 

Copyright 2021 Joseph B Williams

 

 

Submit or Surrender?

James 4:1-10

 

No matter how you say it, if you submit or surrender to someone, it sounds like you’ve lost.

 

What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?   James 4:1 NIV

 

My first year of marriage was very difficult. It was a battleground of wills over the smallest decisions. Do you fold your towel in thirds or half? Do you squeeze the toothpaste tube in the middle or the end? Do you roll your toilet paper over or under? The battles seemed endless.

 

Each decision was a contest with the winner maintaining their position of power and control, while the loser took another step towards losing their personal identity. (In case you’re wondering, we will celebrate our 42^nd anniversary this week.)

 

The fact is that we all struggle with submission and surrender. It’s in our nature. Adam and Eve failed to submit to God’s will and it’s been like that ever since. Really it’s a matter of pride, and the symptoms are often visible through our attempt to control our world. Here’s an example.

 

Someone with an addiction, like drugs or alcohol, will use in order to feel better. In other words, it is their way of trying to control their world.  It’s the addict saying to God and to anyone else, “I can handle this myself thank you very much”.

 

That’s pride, and if we are honest with ourselves, our pride keeps us from submitting or surrendering to God just like the addict. In fact, you could say that we are addicted to sin.

 

God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and he will come near to you.            James 4:6-8 NIV

 

Going into my marriage, I had the best of intentions to be a good husband and to have a wonderful marriage. But my pride and my sinful nature were working against my best desires. Nobody wants to submit or surrender.

 

It takes work to draw near to God. It takes an intentional effort. It doesn’t just happen. However, God’s word promises that if you draw near to Him, then He will draw near to you.

 

 

 

(If God has spoken to you, or touched your heart through this devotional, please feel free to share it with others.)