My boys survived on hand-me-downs, including hand-me-down toys. An acquaintance gave us one of those molded plastic “rocking horses” that hang suspended by four large springs on a tubular steel frame. The boys were so young we had to hold them on it at first, but before long they could mount it and ride on their own, the steady, groaning sproing, sproing, sproing reaching my ears as I worked in the kitchen. As they grew older and gained experience with western heroes, particularly a certain Texas Ranger who wore a mask, I often heard shouts of, “Giddy-up,” “Whoa,” and finally, “Hi-yo Silver, awaaaaaay!”
In their active little minds they traveled everywhere on that horse, despite the fact that they never left the room. Sometimes we have the same problem.
I have seen good, sincere, faithful Christians hamstring themselves by riding a certain hobby nearly to death. No matter what subject comes up, they can finagle it around to their favorite topic. After awhile you learn to avoid certain words that function like detonators on a land mine. We often accuse preachers of this problem, but it can happen to us just as easily, not only about topics, but about people too.
When you can only focus on the aggravating things about a person, you fail to see the good in them. When all you can see are the annoyances in the church, you fail to gain the encouragement you need from the assembling together of a spiritual family. When one pet peeve is all you see in any passage of scripture, you fail to see the things you yourself need in order to grow and improve. Obsession can rob you of any influence you might otherwise have because everyone will just say, “There s/he goes again,” automatically dismissing anything you say.
It is even worse when the thing the “equestrian” goes on about is actually a good and right thing. He simply makes more of it than it deserves because to him it has become a holy grail. He can make it seem that anyone who does not share his opinion has some sort of deep-seeded problem with a) love; b) authority; c) faithfulness; d) all of the above, choose whatever fits the occasion. So division often occurs, if not in fact, then in spirit, because in his arrogance he believes that this “thing” is the root of every other problem we might possibly have and important enough to cause a fuss about.
The rider may think he sees better than others, but all he is seeing is one tiny corner of the Word, while the rest remains hidden behind his self-imposed blinders. He may think he is enjoying an amazing ride on a marvelous steed, but he is sitting on a swayback nag in the middle of a field, going nowhere. At least the children eventually get off the horse.
It is a whole lot easier to get on the horse than to get off it. Sometimes we don’t even realize that is what we have done. Do you need to get off yours and take a new look around? It might surprise you how far you have not come—but it’s the first necessary step to going farther.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:14,15.
Dene Ward
In their active little minds they traveled everywhere on that horse, despite the fact that they never left the room. Sometimes we have the same problem.
I have seen good, sincere, faithful Christians hamstring themselves by riding a certain hobby nearly to death. No matter what subject comes up, they can finagle it around to their favorite topic. After awhile you learn to avoid certain words that function like detonators on a land mine. We often accuse preachers of this problem, but it can happen to us just as easily, not only about topics, but about people too.
When you can only focus on the aggravating things about a person, you fail to see the good in them. When all you can see are the annoyances in the church, you fail to gain the encouragement you need from the assembling together of a spiritual family. When one pet peeve is all you see in any passage of scripture, you fail to see the things you yourself need in order to grow and improve. Obsession can rob you of any influence you might otherwise have because everyone will just say, “There s/he goes again,” automatically dismissing anything you say.
It is even worse when the thing the “equestrian” goes on about is actually a good and right thing. He simply makes more of it than it deserves because to him it has become a holy grail. He can make it seem that anyone who does not share his opinion has some sort of deep-seeded problem with a) love; b) authority; c) faithfulness; d) all of the above, choose whatever fits the occasion. So division often occurs, if not in fact, then in spirit, because in his arrogance he believes that this “thing” is the root of every other problem we might possibly have and important enough to cause a fuss about.
The rider may think he sees better than others, but all he is seeing is one tiny corner of the Word, while the rest remains hidden behind his self-imposed blinders. He may think he is enjoying an amazing ride on a marvelous steed, but he is sitting on a swayback nag in the middle of a field, going nowhere. At least the children eventually get off the horse.
It is a whole lot easier to get on the horse than to get off it. Sometimes we don’t even realize that is what we have done. Do you need to get off yours and take a new look around? It might surprise you how far you have not come—but it’s the first necessary step to going farther.
Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them in the sight of the Lord, that they strive not about words, to no profit, to the subverting of those who hear. Give diligence to present yourself approved unto God, a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling aright the word of truth. 2 Tim 2:14,15.
Dene Ward
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