What where they thinking? Part 2

As I was reading my Sports Illustrated while sitting on the porcelain pew “doing work,” I read that Pacman Jones just turned himself into Las Vegas authorities and that Tank Johnson was released by the Chicago Bears because his actions were an “embarrassment to the organization.” And, Chris Benoit’s unbelievably tragic double murder suicide have been all over the news. It’s speculated now that Benoit waited at least an entire day before killing himself after he killed his wife and son.  But, these are only a few examples of people who make me say, “What where you thinking!” Some others would be Paris Hilton, Barry Bonds, Britney Spears, Joakim Noah’s suit at the NBA Draft:

Every time I think about how these people are willing to throw everything away by making a stupid decision, it just makes me sick. But, the more I think about it, the more I realize I have no room to pass judgment. Technically, I’m just as guilty as making stupid decisions as any of these celebrities. In fact, I do it way more often. I know this because of what I’ve read in Hosea, which is my favorite book in the Old Testament.

In Hosea 2:2-13, God is telling about his anger and disappointment in Israel for turning their backs on Him by forgetting how much He had done and who He was, which is the dumbest decision EVER! And you know what…I do the exact same thing. So many times, I deliberately disobey God, or take credit for things He has done, or live in a way that has no respect or regard for the Creator of the universe, etc… So, I’m just like the celebrities. Look at all God has done for me, yet I continue to make stupid decisions. Except there is one HUGE, MAJOR difference. God says this in Hosea 2:14-23:

14 “But then I will win her back once again.
I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her there.
15 I will return her vineyards to her
and transform the Valley of Trouble into a gateway of hope.
She will give herself to me there,
as she did long ago when she was young,
when I freed her from her captivity in Egypt.
16 When that day comes,” says the Lord,
“you will call me ‘my husband’ instead of ‘my master.’
17 O Israel, I will wipe the many names of Baal from your lips,
and you will never mention them again.
18 On that day I will make a covenant
with all the wild animals and the birds of the sky
and the animals that scurry along the ground
so they will not harm you.
I will remove all weapons of war from the land,
all swords and bows, so you can live unafraid
in peace and safety.
19 I will make you my wife forever,
showing you righteousness and justice,
unfailing love and compassion.
20 I will be faithful to you and make you mine,
and you will finally know me as the Lord.
21 “In that day, I will answer,” says the Lord.
“I will answer the sky as it pleads for clouds.
And the sky will answer the earth with rain.
22 Then the earth will answer the thirsty cries
of the grain, the grapevines, and the olive trees.
And they in turn will answer, ‘Jezreel’—‘God plants!’
23 At that time I will plant a crop of Israelites
and raise them for myself. I will show love
to those I called ‘Not loved.’
And to those I called ‘Not my people,’
I will say, ‘Now you are my people.’
And they will reply, ‘You are our God!’”

Some of the decisions these celebrities made lead to them losing everything. And, even though we deserve the same when we make the dumb decision of prostituting ourselves against God; He instead chooses to love us and extend us mercy. Yeah, it’s easy for us to look at these people and say, “you are a moron and you deserve whatever is coming to you. ” But, we must remember, God could do the exact same to us!

“Thank you God for loving me even when I make stupid decisions and do bone-headed things that go against You!”