Ostriches are amazing flightless birds that have been clocked as running 43 MPH. They have some quirks, one leading to the idiom bury your head in the sand (which means to ignore or hide from obvious signs of danger). It alludes to an ostrich, which is believed (incorrectly) to hide it’s head in a hole in the ground when it sees danger. Actually, when lying down and hiding from predators, the birds lay their heads and necks flat on the ground, making them appear like a mound of earth from a distance, aided by the heat haze in their hot, dry habitat. This defensive behavior of lying low makes them appear from a distance to have their head buried.
As I soaked in the tub, I was reading a fiction historical novel, by a Christian author, about the times just before, and during JESUS CHRIST’s life. I love to read, and the author had a neat style but graphic details triggered thoughts that were not good. So, I gave those thoughts to GOD, shut the book and later took it back to the library. It is too easy to think about what we should not think of.
I opened an email from a dear, dear friend and it contained slurs about people, that although may be true, at least in part, it directed my thoughts to judging. Thoughts I should not have. Judging with only partial facts is just too easy to do but totally forbidden and must be guarded against. So, I deleted the email.
The Bible is jam packed with injunctions I might want to ignore. But although GOD’s thoughts and ways are not ours (Isaiah 55:8-9) they work because HE is always right. Therefore, if I want to do right I need to pay attention to what the Word of GOD says and act accordingly.
JESUS said, “Man cannot live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of GOD” (Matthew 4:4).
Some call me closed minded, saying I bury my head in the sand and don’t know the times because I choose to use the Bible as my standard. It is not always easy, it is not always comfortable, but I’ve learned through the years of falling on my face by doing things my own way, that the LORD’s way is best. HE made the world and everything in it, therefore HE knows how things work plus HE knows all things past, present and even future so know what I need to look for. That makes HIM the only ONE qualified to give me instructions.
GOD honored my shutting that book, and deleting that email, by confirming my choices as I opened the Bible and read HIS words.
“The light of the body is the eye: if therefore your eye be single (looking at the right things), your whole body shall be full of light (and you will understand what to do). But if your eye be evil (you look at and think about wrong), your whole body shall be full of darkness (and you will stumble and fall). If therefore the light that is in you (that which you think is right) be darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matthew 6:22-23).
“And be not conformed to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of GOD” (Romans 12:2).
Why is that so important?
Wherein in time past, (before you were saved and knew better) you walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the (evil) spirit (the devil) that now works in the children of disobedience” (Ephesians 2:2).
There is a way which seems right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12). Remember, Eve in the garden.
Just a little bit of human standard defilement brings in darkness. It clouds things so much that it can throw off my perspective to the degree that I don’t know the right way to go. That is what has happened in our country for now right is called wrong and wrong is called right.
It is so important what we focus on is. Where do you find the answers?
Looking unto JESUS the Author and Perfecter of my faith
Hugs
Sharon L Manning
wakemyear 