Hiding the Spoon
At our house, my kids know when they have crossed the line. Usually, it is when my wife or I start walking into the kitchen and rustling through a cabinet drawer looking for a wooden spoon.
A few days ago, as I was grabbing a cream soda from the cardboard 12-pack standing on its end I made a humorous discovery—the wooden spoon. It seems one of our kids must have snuck into the drawer and tried to “hide the spoon.”
Their reaction to discipline is not much different than the rest of human nature. There are many people who cannot take any criticism. Religiously, they do not like it when the preacher “steps on their toes.” Many Christians seek refuge in churches that flatter and pander to self-esteem with sermons to tickle the ears, instead of purifying the soul (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Perhaps, if we were all perfect, we would have such a right to reject all criticism. Yet, the truth is, we have “all sinned” and, therefore, we all need correction (Romans 3:23).
Hebrews 12:5-11 says, “My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; for whom the Lord loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives.’ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons...Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.”
Sometimes, the best sermons you will ever hear are the ones most critical of your choices in life. You may want to “hide the spoon” but you will be stronger if you will listen carefully and learn.
Think about it.
April 2008