Sunday, September 23, 2018

"THE EARTH HATH HE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN"

 
“THE EARTH HATH HE GIVEN TO THE CHILDREN OF MEN”
I held a small handgun. It was one of the lightest in weight and easiest to handle. That may have been true, but I was surprised at how I instantly felt the voice of power in that gun. It was not a toy. The manufacturer made the gun to be used in a certain way, with purpose. The things of the earth speak of what they are, and what they want. Once we realize that, we can choose to respect the voice and go with it, or we can choose to say no to the voice. God has given humanity the rule over earth things. “The heaven, even the heavens, are the Lord’s: but the earth hath he given to the children of men” (Ps.115:16).

As far as earth things having a voice, our plants tell us when we’ve neglected to give them what they need, and most of us are tuned into the messages from our pets as well.

But there are many inanimate earth things that also have voices. We all know that our cell phones and computers have a voice. They say: “Pay attention! You need to open me right now.” We’ve learned to answer no at work (mostly), and at other times we’ve said yes and found ourselves sucked in for hours.

Money has a voice. I have a funny story about that. Jane was working in the computer department at the University. One Monday afternoon she was sitting on a stone bench by the grass. She put her fanny pack with her wallet in it, at eye level on the column next to her. Jane won a large sum of money at the nickel slots over the weekend, and the money was still in her fanny pack. Her work schedule was pretty loose, and she was free to come and go as long as the work was done.

She looked over at her fanny pack, and the money started to talk. “Let’s get in the car and go over to Terrible Herbst Casino and play some slots.” Jane said: “Shut up in the name of Jesus Christ. We’re not going anywhere!” It was quiet for a few minutes; then it tried again: “Let’s go spend some money at Terrible’s.” Jane looked straight at that wallet and told it again: “Shut up in the name of Jesus Christ. We’re getting on that cart and going back to work!” And it never happened again, and Jane never forgot that incident.

I had an interesting experience with a Mazda rental car. The commercials on TV always displayed the words “Zoom, zoom” associated with the car. Then when I went to drive it, I swear, it was really difficult to get the car to slow down. It wanted to go at least 45mph no matter what, even in school zones. That car was a real battle, but I could see why the young people really liked it—"Zoom, zoom.”

What inanimate objects are talking to you and how are you reacting to what you hear?

Jesus said: “For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad. Take heed therefore how ye hear” (Luke 8:17-18).

The Lord is saying that we are responsible for knowing what’s going on. We need to be aware of the voices and make good strong choices. We’re in charge. Let’s listen carefully and decide wisely.

Love, Carolyn

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