Do You REALLY Want That?

  I remember when the Lincoln LS first came out. I wanted one so bad.  The car was beautiful, and I loved the elegance of its appearance.  One day, I decided that I would go and test drive the car.  The car salesman started to tell me a bunch of things about the car’s exterior and the bonus features. As soon as I sat down in the car, I knew that it was not the car for me.  While beautiful on the outside, it lacked all of the things that I needed as a consumer on the inside.  The radio seemed very generic; the quality of sound was below acceptable for me.  It had a very plain look inside.  Nothing to boast about. The few moments behind the wheel on the open highway proved that it lacked the power that I had in all my other cars.  I quietly pulled into the dealership and told the salesman that I would get back with him. I know he was angry after spending almost an hour trying to sell me the car.  I set out to find something else that would better suite me.

  About a week later, I pulled into the Toyota dealership to get an oil change on my Avalon.  A beautiful eggshell-colored Lexus ES300 caught my eye.  “I have to have it!” I thought.  I made it clear to the salesman that I wanted this car and that I was leaving that day with it.  I remember discussing with my banker that I was in love with it and that it had everything that I wanted.  He tried to warn me of the costs associated with such a luxury car, but I wasn’t hearing a thing that he said. “Just tell me I can get it” I snapped.  “Oh yeah, you can have it” he said and signed all the paperwork.  He shook his head and said good luck under his breath.  My sassy self walked out of the bank, feeling like a million bucks and riding in style.

Oh WHY didn’t I listen to him?

Two weeks later, I found out that I was expecting.  Two months later, my child’s father and I split up (I got saved Sunday morning and we broke up Sunday night). A short time later, I almost lost everything I had because the burdening car note and the lack of incoming money once on my own again.  I was riding in style, looking like a million bucks with no clue of how I was going to pay my bills or how I was going to keep my own place.  Did I forget to say pregnant, too?  I was so hung up on appearances that I forgot about what was necessary.  For a few years I struggled with a new baby and new bills, and I often robbed Peter to pay Paul.  The cost of maintenance was ridiculous!  Unfortunately, that one choice affects me to this day.  I am still cleaning the mess that I made.  It was a terrible choice and I had to deal with the consequences.

God gives us all free will.  Free will is the ability to make decisions for ourselves.  He would like for us to follow His way (“Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give ye rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”  Matt 11:28-30).  Many won’t take His advice and walk right into situations that take longer to get out of than it did to get in.  If you won’t take His advice, consider mine; weigh every option completely before you make any decisions.  Let the Lord guide you in every aspect of your life because with His guidance, you can’t go wrong.  A good man’s steps are ordered by the Lord (Psalm 37:23), so acknowledge Him and follow His lead.  Have a great week!