Life is full of formulas; you and I trust a few of them, others we laugh at, and still others we ignore. Part of the process of growing older comes with an appreciation for just how applicable the formulas are to life. Some come in the form of clich?s passed on from mother to son, father to daughter. Others are shaped as wise proverbs. In any form, the natural reaction is to try the words on for size. If they fit we often chose to believe, otherwise they are tossed in the dust bin of metaphors, silly phrases, and useless pieces of advice.
Part of the process of accepting that the formulas apply to one’s life comes in understanding the motive of the one who gave them to you. I had friends that I grew up with that I knew I could not trust. They motives were, from experience, to create a situation where I was embarrassed or humiliated. Obviously I abandoned these relationships over time because they never were friendships. However in the interim there was a string of situations that I let myself into because I accepted their formulas for success, popularity, and being attractive to the opposite sex.
Who knew that certain hair products would cause my hair to stand on end?
How was a kid to know that not taking a bath for several days was not a good thing?
Is there a recipe that educates one about the full ramifications of lying to those you trust?
In the harsh reality of these experiences and others I learned. It didn’t take long however in hindsight I wish that I could have walked further without this knowledge. In this context God comes along and offers two formulas. It is so easy to assume what his and her motives are, and yet we are never sure who to trust.
“Walk straight—live well and be saved; a devious life is a doomed life.” (Proverbs 28.18)
Everything from my experience says trust! Trust God with every fiber of your being – living, real life will come.
