Sunday, August 30, 2009

Stepping Stones: Do Not Open That Box!

Transformational Tip
We have all heard the term “Pandora’s Box.” Pandora is a figure out of Greek mythology; and she came with a box, unbeknownst to her, that is filled with all the evils of this world. She was told to never open the box. But curiosity got the best of her and she opened the box…and in doing so released all this evil, sickness, pain and suffering. She tried shutting the box, but it was too late.
When we make bad decisions, there are known consequences that we accept the risk of happening. But when we choose trouble, cross the line of right and wrong, we are in a way opening Pandora’s box…opening ourselves up to the infinite amount of unknown consequences. I have a personal example to share with you.
I was speeding (the bad decision) while traveling cross country to visit my brother. Was stopped by a police officer and received a ticket which I was required to pay in 30 days. I forgot to pay that ticket (another bad decision). Over a year later I was once again driving out of state and yes, speeding again. Got pulled over in Ohio and was informed that my driver’s license had been suspended by Pennsylvania due to the unpaid ticket in Indiana. My car was impounded, got a ticket for driving under a suspension as well as a speeding ticket. Had a mandatory court appearance a week later which was schedule on the same day as a very important client meeting that I had to cancel. Had to post bail and then have a friend come and get me. To have my licenses reinstated I had to pay the fine in Indiana (with penalties), submit paperwork to Pennsylvania and wait. This whole ordeal final cost was $1,625.00 and days of lost time vs. taking the time to pay the original fine of only $124.00 on time.
Certainly not proud of this story, but it’s a mild example of what happens when you chose wrong over right – you open Pandora’s box and you have no idea what type of unknown consequences and how much evil will come out of the box.
Today, specifically choose right over wrong even in the little areas we sometimes cheat. Click “Past Devotional” link below and tell us your past experiences with Pandora’s Box or how today you kept Pandora’s Box closed. Do not open that box!

Prayer
Dear Father God,
At times, I continue to dig my hole deeper and deeper vs. just climbing out of that hole. I am embarrassed of my poor choices…of my bad decisions. And as I look back at my poor choices and sinful ways, I see the huge ripple effect of pain and suffering my sins have caused me and those around me…more than I could have ever imagined. Help me to be mindful that opening Pandora ’s Box is the last thing I want and need. I pray Father that You help me live the life You have created for me, keep me from being my own worst enemy. I know Satan is trying hard to devour me…and at times it feels like I’m helping him do his dirty job. Raise me up Lord. Take my hand and help pull me out of this hole I am digging. I ask this in the name of Jesus – and all God’s people said - AMEN!

The Truth
He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.
He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.
Psalm 7:14-16
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2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Thanks so much for sharing the embarrassing story! I messed up a relationship: This guy goes to my church, but we e-mail a lot during the weeks. My intense e-mailing and desires to spend time with this person pushed him away, and to clarify I e-mailed some more! I've felt horribly embarrassed. Sometimes I feel that I'm upset by unresolved issues; the "box" is tricky, like maybe I can't tell if it's a box or a closet! So I open it anyway. It's just not like 'do not steal' or 'love your wife' it's more foggy, more fuzzy and unclear. Why didn't the Holy Spirit speak? Was I not listening? I get worried that to do nothing will get me no where but then doing something opens pandora's box!!

August 30, 2009 at 2:26 PM
Anonymous said...

Hi there to whoever it is that "messed up a relationship" - just my two cents, this is meant as encouragement, because I have been there before, but it takes two people to make a relationship work. If this person could not come clean earlier on in the process and indicate what level of expectation he had, he was not investing in the relationship at your level.

The term "defraud" was used a lot in my late teens and 20's, a long time ago, back in the early 80's. I do remember a guy in youth ministry spending a great deal of time with a younger person and she was crushed when she found out he just thought of her as a friend. Since email was not around then, a definition for cyber-defraud did not exist.

Many adults experience difficulties with email on many levels. You are not alone. I am very grateful that someone in ministry came right back at me and set an expectation of my email query being too long - this person only reads emails that are 3 lines long.

My post is much more than 3 lines long, this topic hit a nerve for me. Please do something very nice and caring for yourself, surround yourself with your best girlfriends, and forget your email "friend". You deserve better treatment. Not everybody has self-confidence to deliver a potentially negative message like "wow I like getting to know you, but I cannot offer a lot of emotional connection right now...."

August 31, 2009 at 10:57 AM

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