“Look at that guy! He had sex with sin, he’s pregnant with evil!” Psalm 7.15
Last night I saw by the Singapore River sharing dinner with friends under a canopy of starts wrapped in a gentle ocean breeze. On many levels, the evening was perfect. The combination was perfect, good food, friends and conversation.
During the course of the evening a sample of virtually every race and culture past our table. Short people, tall people. Chinese, Japanese, Malay, Indonesian, English, Australian, American, Indian, and many with a combination of everything! Men, women, old, young, thin, not so thin, lots of hair, and no hair strolled, walked, and ran by.
Several stood out to all of us – clearly choices had been made – too much to drink, eager to please, and desperate for company. Compelling to watch if only because of the visible tragedy. It is easy to be smug – sitting there comfortably with friends with few worries of the moment.
I wonder if I am different that those walking by? Last night I passed judgement without much thought. I am sure that my conclusions were premature. What gives anyone value?
Who God is, and what God did for us at the Cross is what gives us value. There is no one with a corner on God or human value.
If I were to walk in another’s shoes, would I make very different decisions? Are my choices any less selfish and self-centered than your decisions or the decisions played out by the river?
I don’t think they are. I do not believe I am any less pregnant with evil than the next person. I do believe with certainty that I am full of evil. I know where to find a cure.
God is the source and total dependence is the cure. Exercising my dependence on Him is the best way of staying out of evil. It is in living life with God that we find our true self.
Look in the mirror. Look beyond the face to the God who places the highest value in you and I.
