Tuesday, December 11, 2012 -- Advent Week 2 -- Taking The Drag Out Of My Day
What sorrow for those who drag their sins behind them with ropes made of lies, who drag wickedness behind them like a cart! They even mock God and say, “Hurry up and do something! We want to see what you can do. Let the Holy One of Israel carry out his plan, for we want to know what it is.” What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. What sorrow for those who are heroes at drinking wine and boast about all the alcohol they can hold. They take bribes to let the wicked go free, and they punish the innocent. (Isaiah 5:18-23 NLT)
I spoke to a group of people one day about the challenge of living with integrity in all areas of their lives. I mentioned habits of lying that seem embedded in our work places and even the welfare office. After the meeting, someone approached me and challenged me to "quit talking about things I knew nothing about". They believed that, to get help through Employment Insurance or the Welfare office, lying was essential. That's the only way the system worked. A talk show moderator recently discussed the character of the leaders of our political parties and his scathing assessment was that, regardless of which political party they represent, they look you in the face and lie because that's the way the system works. CBC National News has showed picture after picture of mayors of large cities in Canada and reported how they have been removed from office recently for taking bribes, or incorrectly using public funds or influence. These mayors represent 1 in 6 Canadians.
Advent is a time to allow God to lift the heaviness of a lifestyle of lies from our heart and enter into the freedom and joy of a life of truth and grace. We couldn't find this new way on our own but thankfully, Jesus has come to show it to us. He is the way. He is the truth. He is the life.
Audio for Tuesday, December 11, 2012 -- Advent Week 2 -- Taking The Drag Out Of My Day
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