Sunday, July 4, 2021

Lessons from the First Family!

Happy Independence Day!!!! I hope you and your family are safe and that this is the best holiday weekend in a long time. 

So after more than a year, one branch of my family got together this weekend at an outside event to just be together.  Prior to COVID, we got together at least once a year, maybe two, so this was a huge for us.  We were outside and even though I’m fully vaccinated, I wore my face covering because 1) I don’t want to get sick or get anyone sick; and 2) as a safety professional, I need to set the example.  It was a wonderful event with good food and good company.  And while I may not agree with every choice a family member makes, I love them all.  As I think back over today’s event, I turn to the first family and think about the lessons in the story. 

When God created man, He saw that it wasn’t good for Adam to be alone and He made him a helpmeet.  Then after they were kicked out of the garden, they had children. This was the first institution God created beyond marriage.  These were the first relationships developed and documented in the Bible. And they teach us quite a bit.  While we love our family, they can support us in wrong doing which is contrary to God’s word.  

See Genesis 3.  Have you ever thought what would have happened had Adam stepped in when Eve was having her conversation with Satan? He was the head of the family, yet he didn’t step into his rightful place.  The whole world has paid the price for Millennia. What I learn from this is that we have to speak up when we see someone going down a wrong path and not just go along to make them happy or because we agree.  We have to do more.  We have to desire more than recognition or we have to seek God in what we do, because He knows everything and we will be held accountable for actions we take.  

When I look at Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:1-16), I see the destruction jealousy and anger can bring.  Cain killed Abel because his sacrifice was not accepted like Abel’s was.  I find it interesting that He didn’t seek God’s counsel on what he’d done wrong with his sacrifice.  Nor did He ask God for forgiveness.  He in his pride and envy killed his brother, not over what Abel did, but over what He didn’t do.  Do you notice similarities today?  People who have made bad choices take out their frustrations on those who have done the opposite – those people who’ve chosen not to do the work try to take from those who have.  

It’s a constant battle to deal with our own frustrations, but we rarely look at ourselves and determine our part in the situation we find ourselves.  We like to blame others and that can be our downfall, because at the end of the day, we are responsible for the choices we make and the consequences that follow.  Cain would have done well to take a long look at himself and make changes to his life instead of killing his brother.  In what ways are you avoiding dealing with your own personal issue because you don’t want to deal with your part in it?  Stop it.  Until we face the truth about ourselves, we can’t be free.


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