Apple vs Chocolate
While they are in different aisles, it is easy for me to walk up to either shelf and choose the item of my desire.
Reference: Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! (Acts 5:29 NIV)
Explore: When I go to the supermarket it is just as easy for me to pick up an apple as it is a chocolate bar. While they are in different aisles, it is easy for me to walk up to either shelf and choose the item of my desire.
I’d love to say that the apple always wins… But that would be a complete lie.
The apple tastes nice and I know in the long term it is much better for me. However, it is so hard to go past the sweet sensation a chocolate bar brings. Just thinking of the smooth silky texture gets my tastebuds going.
Don’t get me wrong, I do like apples. But when my desires take over, there is no calorie count that will deter me from the chocolate.
Application: When it comes to flavour, I must admit that the short term sensation almost always outweighs the long-term benefits. However, if I always just thought of the short term then I would find my life lacking.
The disciples found themselves with a choice that held greater significance than my apple/chocolate dilemma. They could ease their physical pain and do what the authorities wanted them to do (stop preaching that Jesus is the Messiah) or they could hold true to God’s calling on their lives, but suffer the consequences.
In the short term, the first option would have been much more desirable, however, the latter brought them a much greater future. We may not be presented with such a crucial choice, but every day we have the option of following human desires or God’s plans.
The human desires display short term benefits, but when we stick to obeying God then nothing can outweigh the health of our future.
Prayer: Lord, give me the strength to choose wisely and never choose short term desires over Your destiny for my life. Amen.
When have you found it difficult to choose God over your human desires?
This article was written by Linda Bailey
Linda started theological studies in 1999 in Australia. After working for ten years in various church ministries, she now works as the breakfast producer at 89.9 LightFM - the Christian radio station in Melbourne, Australia. She writes blogs every day about passages she is currently reading in the Bible. Follow her on Google Plus +Linda Bailey or Facebook by clicking the like button on the right of this page.