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Empty Traditions
I read a few verses in Colossians today in the Message
Bible, and boy-oh-boy it sure did have a lot to say to me, directly. There are too many things in this world that
I take for granted, one being my undoubted faith in Christ. When I start to talk to people that have
little faith, it begins to confuse me.
Not that I become doubtful, but confused about myself, rather. I keep having glimpses of my past that I
would really like to forget, but they come at the most opportune time. I’m either feeling as though I want to go
back to my old ways, or questioning why I turned from them to begin with. I am hesitant as I write these things because
I am fearful. I am fearful of man. I don’t want to be fearful and I know it is
absolutely ridiculous to even take into account what other people think when I
write what God is telling me to, but I am human and it just happens.
I’ve been thinking about my situations for a while and
dwelling on them. I know that is not
what God would want me to do at all, but I realize it now that I’ve fallen away
from Him. This is not to say that I’ve
gone completely haywire and lost my faith completely, but my faith in Him is
being tested. I can see it
perfectly. And the sad thing is I kind
of wished this upon myself. Now, don’t
get the wrong idea. What I am trying to
say is, when you fall on your face it brings you so much closer to Him. I did not fall on my face on purpose, but I
did allow the devil to speak lies into my life, rather than the truth that God
says. This being said, I do not feel as
though I am completely back on track with God, but I do feel like I am feeling
around for Him in a completely dark room (if that makes any sense).
This morning I read Colossians 2:8-23 in the Message
Bible. I’m not going to post the whole
thing but you can go read it here: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=colossians%202&version=MSG
The verses are saying that we need to “WATCH OUT”. What does it mean to “watch out”? To “watch out” means to ‘be vigilant, be on the lookout or be careful’.
Are
we careful with where we go?
Are
we careful with whom we allow in our lives?
Are
we careful with the things we watch or listen to?
Being careful
doesn’t mean that we are just “aware” of the harm that it could cause us, but
we avoid the potential danger
that it might cause to us, physically and mentally. I can be honest with you I have not been
doing this. I have not been on the “look
out” with the decisions I make. They are
sending me down a horrible path and I can see it so clearly. It’s so easy to step into that direction
though, because it’s a comfort. It may
release some tension for a while, but afterward begins a long time of
suffering, pain and regret.
In verse 8b, it says, “They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings
and empty superstitions of spirit beings.”
The “empty traditions of human beings” is what really hit me right in
the gut!
What are some “empty traditions”?
·
Finding “true love” based on
things you’ve read or seen in the movies (girls, don’t lie, you SO do
this)
·
Sleeping with your boyfriend/
girlfriend before you get married to “test out” and see if it will work,
·
“Going out” and letting lose
because “you worked hard and you deserve it”,
·
Needing more money at your job
because you live pay check to pay check and you work hard…
These are just a few of the “empty traditions” that
I’ve struggled with. There are so many
more! But isn’t it true? Don’t we allow those ideas to spread in our
lives and become a huge part of who we are?
There are so many “empty traditions” that we allow in our lives because
of the way the human race is. We fail to
see the emptiness it causes because we give it the excuses of “well that’s just
the way the world is...” “That’s just
how I was raised….” “We’re in a
different generation now…”
They are empty, people! Straight up, empty, nothing good will come
from thinking that way! It only causes destruction
and defeat within us. Why can’t we see
this? Why can’t I see this? This wonderful author I love, Marion Jordan
Ellis says, “It’s not about a set a
rules, it’s about a mindset.” This goes with anything. If we can’t get into the mindset of understanding
that emptiness has surrounded us and chose a different path, then we will
continue to be disappointed, fearful, doubtful, anxious, restless, impatient, reckless,
impulsive, and irresponsible human beings.
