I’ve been on a love theme this week. God has been doing a work in my heart about love and about placing the needs of others above my own desires.
I was taking our daughter to school on Tuesday and this scripture continued to manifest right before my eyes. At the stoplights in our town, I saw such road rage. The least little hesitation at a light, someone got a horn blown at them and some sign language/hand gestures. I continued to watch the expressions of the people who were so angry, so impatient. It made me cry. I’ve heard myself say many times, “Oh COME ON LADY! Move!” I sit in my vehicle and fuss too. What is our problem? There is definitely a lack of love and respect for others.
Read the different versions of this scripture that came to my mind.
Matthew 24:12
Sin will be rampant everywhere, and the love of many will grow cold. (NLT)And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. (NKJV)
Because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will grow cold. (NASB)
And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity (Amplified)
Evil will spread and cause many people to stop loving others. (Contemporary English Version)
And because iniquity shall be multiplied, the love of the many shall wax cold. (American Standard Version)
The last translation really gave me a visual of how this happens over time. We are introduced to evil in our culture a little dip here and a little dip there. We barely notice it in the natural, but something definitely happens.
How were candles made years ago? From what I understand, a wick was dipped in wax and pulled out to dry. A thin layer of wax stuck to the wick. Then it was dipped in again and another thin layer joined the first … then again and again until a candle was formed.
While typing this I saw some glasses. If there was a small amount of dirt on our glasses, we could still see through them. Eventually we would get used to it enough to see “ok” … As each light layer of dirt is added, our eyes would adjust and we could continue with our lives. Right?
This also reminded me of a frog. (From what I’ve heard — I don’t eat frogs – ick.) If you try to put a frog in a pot of hot water, he will jump out, but if you place him in warm water — he will sit right there as you increase the temp and cook him. Ick.
Sin is the same way. As long as we allow little doses here and there, eventually our eyes are blinded and sin has a grip.
Back to that scripture. The sin — even in our environment takes a toll on us. It numbs us. I don’t want to wax cold. I don’t want to be selfish and angry.
What is the solution? Spending time in God’s Word and spending time WITH the Lord on a consistent basis.
I pray this speaks to someone today. We definitely have to keep our focus on Jesus and continually check our hearts and motives.
Bless you all and Happy Memorial Day Weekend USA friends! Thank you to all of the men and women who have served our country and allowed us to have FREEDOM.
Wow, such a great post sis, love you.
It spoke to me Beth. Thanks.
I deal with that "monster anger" at work a lot! I know that if I'm not dipped in His love, I would have been one of them [inmates and co-workers]. The candle analogy was already perfect. [I was going "yuck" too as I was reading about the frog! LOL…Have a great Memorial Day weekend and may God bless and protect you…
Thank you so much for sharing this. This morning I was 'talking' to our Father God about the same thing, (as I was weeding) and was sharing with Him about this "We barely notice it in the natural, but something definitely happens." I was meditating upon what I allow myself to be surrounded by, and how it will effect me if I am not surrounding myself with the 'good'……
Hey Girl – another great post. I was getting a picture of the candle analogy because my son's class recently had a field trip where they made candles like that, one dip at a time. I was also reminded of that song "Slow Fade" by Casting Crowns, have you heard it?
Here are the lyrics of the chorus:
It's a slow fade when you give yourself away; It's a slow fade when black and white have turned to gray; Thoughts invade, choices are made, a price will be paid
When you give yourself away; People never crumble in a day;
It's a slow fade
Have a great weekend (I'll miss you on Sunday, especially if I have to go see "Boom Boom")
This post spoke to me. A great reminder to keep in fellowship with the Lord by spending time with him so he can wash away our ugliness.
Beth I smiled at your comment about road rage. Behind me today, I saw two guys screaming at each other in the car behind me. I prayed for protection! That's how angry they were shaking their fists at one another. Have a great Memorial Day weekend.
I love your posts and I am so blessed being here!I is so important to spend time in fellowship with the Lord. I have been thinking today about how comfortable and complacent we often become in our walk. So much food for thought in your words today Beth.
Hugs and blessings.
Wow, good post! It gave me a lot to think about. After I finished reading your post I was reminded of the verse below.
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2
I think I'll make it my verse of the week to memorize. Thanks again for sharing…
~Christine
I really needed to read this. We are dealing with some things and I am working so hard on not turning into the bitterness that I am seeing around me. Thanks for sharing this!