The Dinner Plate
It had only happened in a split second, and yet, the evidence was irreparable.
Reference: Then he brought me to the entrance of the north gate of the house of the Lord, and I saw women sitting there, mourning the god Tammuz. (Ezekiel 8:14 NIV)
Explore: When I was about 12 my mother bought a new dinner set. It was all matching and had bread plates to match the dinner plates.
I can’t recall the exact details, but I know my mother was outside hanging out the washing and I was either putting one of her new dishes into the cupboard or taking one out. They were up on a high shelf and instead of getting a chair to help me reach, I stretched up high.
As the plate came tumbling out of the high shelf, I thought the crashing sound echoed across the whole earth. It had only happened in a split second, and yet, the evidence was irreparable.
I ran out to the clothesline repeatedly saying, “I’m so sorry, I’m so sorry!” When I explained to mum what happened I couldn’t believe how calm she was. She almost brushed it off too easily saying that it was only a plate and no harm had been done.
I was so relieved at the time but it also showed me that my mother cared more for my health than a dinner plate – even if that plate matched all her others!
Application: We can so easily get attached to things we own – a car, a phone or a piece of clothing. Sure, it’s disappointing when these things are broken or lost, but in the big scheme of things, all these things will fade away in time.
When God gave Ezekiel a vision of His people, the prophet saw that they were prioritising the wrong things. Instead of turning to God and holding onto Him, they were mourning and worshipping other gods.
While this seems despicable, we too can do the same. Whenever we put our belongings, money or treasures before God, we are moving Him down the priority list.
My mother taught me a great lesson about possessions when I broke her plate, but it’s lesson I need to continually be reminded of.
Prayer: Lord, forgive us when we put our possessions before You. All things on this earth will rust and be destroyed, but may we live for the One who lasts forever. Amen.
What do you sometimes put before God?
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.