ODJ: too much
December 29, 2010
Pay attention to these instructions, for anyone who fears God will avoid both extremes (v.18).
READ: Ecclesiastes 7:15-18
The other day I was putting air in my car’s tires. The small wording on the side of the tires warned me, “Maximum pressure: 35 psi.”
I’m no mechanic, but this is good information to know. I’ve been told that too much air in a tire will negatively affect braking, cornering, and overall stability. Less of the tire touches the ground when tire pressure is too high. As a result, a car will tend to bounce around on the road and its tires will lose traction. We all need air in our tires, and we won’t get very far on a tire that is low or flat. But as with many things in life, too much of a good thing can be detrimental.
Take, for example, something as basic as food. We all need to eat. But the Bible clearly warns against the dangers of overeating (Proverbs 23:20-21).
Needing too much of a good thing can also show up in our relationships. For instance, the Old Testament character Leah (Rachel’s older sister and Jacob’s first wife) was a woman who seemed to need her husband’s love too much. From the start of a marriage that was born out of deception, Jacob made no bones about the fact that he loved Rachel much more than Leah (Genesis 29:30).
Coming in second place left Leah heartbroken. Sadly, she thought she could win more of Jacob’s affection and attention by giving him children (29:32,34). But her plan never worked. It only drew her deeper into a jealous rivalry with Rachel that she would never win (30:1-24).
Leah’s desire for her husband’s love was legitimate, but it began to consume her when it became the primary focus of her life. Is there something good in your life you need too much? —Jeff Olson
Is a desire for something good (coffee, blogs, music, a person) consuming you? What would happen if you were consumed with God instead?
Tweet This
Share on Facebook
Digg This
Save to delicious
Stumble it-
RSS Feed
Related
ODJ: no fear
November 11, 2011 I prayed to the Lord, and He answered me. He freed me from all my fears (v.4). READ: Psalm 34:1-11 Imagine sashaying through life with no fear. One woman knows what it feels like to be fear-free. Researchers exposed her to snakes and spiders, led her through a haunted house, and showed [...]
ODJ: free solo
February 29, 2012 Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize (Philippians 3:13-14). READ: Mark 10:17-31 A recent article in National Geographic Magazine published remarkable images of climbers as they scaled the sheer rock face of Yosemite’s 2,916-ft. [...]
ODJ: tale of two rich men
October 21, 2011 Everyone who has given up house or wife or brothers or parents or children, for the sake of the kingdom of God, will be repaid many times over (vv.29-30). READ: Luke 18:18-30, 19:1-9 Many of us are familiar with the story of Zacchaeus, the “wee little man” (as the Sunday school song goes) who [...]
ODJ: discord in the family
January 12, 2010 A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people (2 Timothy 2:24). READ: Proverbs 6:12-19 According to a 2009 study, men and women sin differently. This study of the seven deadly sins found that the top [...]
Christian Courses
Day Of Discovery
Discover The Word
Discovery Series
Help For My Life
My Utmost For His Highest
Our Daily Bread
Our Daily Journey
RBC Ministries
WarungSateKaMu
Manasociety
雅米