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Cal's Pastoral Epistles
"Avoiding Life's Scams"
August 18, 2010
There was something about the exchange that didn't feel right. I don't
know why I did it. It sounded too good to be true. I should have walked
away. Then he took me aside and showed me the ticket. It had a $70 face
value. He offered me the ticket for $40. The temptation was too great. The
money was out of my pocket and into his hand before I knew what was
happening. He slapped me on the back and told me I was a smart man. I
had just bought a great seat to the game.
I had never done anything like this before. With Yankee Stadium looming in
the background, I began to wonder if I had just been the victim of a scam. I
had a ticket to a great seat. How did that happen? Was the ticket stolen?
Maybe it was counterfeit. In my mind I could see myself being taken away
in handcuffs as I walked through the gate. How could I be so foolish?
As I approached the gate I turned around three times. I couldn't do it. I felt
as guilty as sin. I finally mustered some courage, took a deep breath and
made my move. I was through the turnstile without a hitch and kept
walking without looking back. I was sure that I would hear someone call
out for me to stop any minute. But it never happened.
I went up to my seat and sat down. For the next hour I nervously scanned
the horizon. Nothing happened. By the third inning I knew that I had gotten
away with it but it didn't ease my conscience. I still knew what I had done.
The Tigers eventually lost the game. I chuckled to myself and thought that
it served me right. There is always a price to pay for sin.
I know I am being melodramatic but on the way home I couldn't help but
think of all the little temptations we give into every day. We don't even think
about most of them. We stretch the truth. We take advantage of a situation.
We mislead someone. We often get away with these things and think that
there won't be a price to pay. We couldn't be more wrong.
When we compromise our values, when we do something that goes against
what we know is right, we feel it deep down inside. We can try to justify it.
We can point out that everybody does it. We can try to blame the system
and put fault at the feet of society. It doesn't work. Our conscience won't
let it go. I believe it also saddens the heart of God.
The truth is that you and I are called to live by a higher standard as people
of faith. The way we live should distinguish us from the rest of the world.
The good news is that living the life of faith brings its own blessings.
Integrity and faithfulness bring peace into our relationships. Relationships
built on honesty bring authenticity into our lives. Real people, who let God's
love flow through them, experience a joy that reverberates deep in the soul.
Best of all is the fact that when we begin living out our faith convictions,
others sit up and take notice. So the blessings are multiplied and God is
glorified.
So don't be scammed. Let God guide your life and be blessed!
God Bless! See you in church. Cal
August 18, 2010
There was something about the exchange that didn't feel right. I don't
know why I did it. It sounded too good to be true. I should have walked
away. Then he took me aside and showed me the ticket. It had a $70 face
value. He offered me the ticket for $40. The temptation was too great. The
money was out of my pocket and into his hand before I knew what was
happening. He slapped me on the back and told me I was a smart man. I
had just bought a great seat to the game.
I had never done anything like this before. With Yankee Stadium looming in
the background, I began to wonder if I had just been the victim of a scam. I
had a ticket to a great seat. How did that happen? Was the ticket stolen?
Maybe it was counterfeit. In my mind I could see myself being taken away
in handcuffs as I walked through the gate. How could I be so foolish?
As I approached the gate I turned around three times. I couldn't do it. I felt
as guilty as sin. I finally mustered some courage, took a deep breath and
made my move. I was through the turnstile without a hitch and kept
walking without looking back. I was sure that I would hear someone call
out for me to stop any minute. But it never happened.
I went up to my seat and sat down. For the next hour I nervously scanned
the horizon. Nothing happened. By the third inning I knew that I had gotten
away with it but it didn't ease my conscience. I still knew what I had done.
The Tigers eventually lost the game. I chuckled to myself and thought that
it served me right. There is always a price to pay for sin.
I know I am being melodramatic but on the way home I couldn't help but
think of all the little temptations we give into every day. We don't even think
about most of them. We stretch the truth. We take advantage of a situation.
We mislead someone. We often get away with these things and think that
there won't be a price to pay. We couldn't be more wrong.
When we compromise our values, when we do something that goes against
what we know is right, we feel it deep down inside. We can try to justify it.
We can point out that everybody does it. We can try to blame the system
and put fault at the feet of society. It doesn't work. Our conscience won't
let it go. I believe it also saddens the heart of God.
The truth is that you and I are called to live by a higher standard as people
of faith. The way we live should distinguish us from the rest of the world.
The good news is that living the life of faith brings its own blessings.
Integrity and faithfulness bring peace into our relationships. Relationships
built on honesty bring authenticity into our lives. Real people, who let God's
love flow through them, experience a joy that reverberates deep in the soul.
Best of all is the fact that when we begin living out our faith convictions,
others sit up and take notice. So the blessings are multiplied and God is
glorified.
So don't be scammed. Let God guide your life and be blessed!
God Bless! See you in church. Cal
Pastor Cal Lord writes these weekly epistles to
help us see God in every day things.
help us see God in every day things.
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