I’m kind of a “training wheels” pinterest user. Mostly browsing, looking at lovely pictures of Scripture verses and and Winter scenes and home decor ideas. I happened to be skimming along when I saw that picture, and stopped short.
Interesting design, isn’t it? Bold and graphic. I would have left off the black, though, and used something a little pastel-y. I like pastels. And maybe I wouldn’t have put that raspberry sherbet stripe next to that lime green one.
But that message. Oh, that message. There is such selfishness and short-sightedness in that message. It’s a popular thought, though. You only live once. Carpe Diem. Or how about this one:
“I don’t care about what’s proper.
As long as it’s right by me and my morals, I’ll do as I please.”
Wow.
This one was attributed to Jimi Hendrix:
“I am the one who has to die
when it’s time for me to die,
so let me live my life
the way I want to.”
Life is a gift. Not to mention free will. And it feels like this way of thinking is an abuse of that. And frankly, it’s right out of the Old Testament. Judges 17:6 and 21:25 ~ “In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
And if you know anything about the Book of Judges, you know that didn’t go well.
Did you know the Book of Galatians includes selfish ambitions along with idolatry, jealousy, wrath, murder, drunkenness “and the like”.
The truth is, there’s plenty of room for free will in living a life of obedience. There will be blessings a-plenty, even if you deny yourself pleasures and forfeit your “rights”. Psalm 40:8 says, “I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.” You know what that tells us? That joy can be found in obedience. The joy that some thing can only come from granting themselves their every desire is in following Him. Greater joy, even.
So funny – I read it at first as “Life is too short and unpredictable to live it exactly as you please” and thought “that makes a lot of sense.” It wasn’t until I read more of your post that I realized I read it wrong, lol!
It’s beautiful said. Thank you. I’d also add that (in my perspective) an even more important definition of “delight” –translated here as “joy”– could also be translated as “peace.” Sometimes I don’t feel a lot of joy, because of external worldly factors, but I DO feel peace when I know I’m doing the will of God-above my own. It’s a divine peace, and the world can not offer this kind of peace. There is nothing quite like His peace, to help me get me through the times that aren’t quite as joyful as I favor!
Light Expectations 
So funny – I read it at first as “Life is too short and unpredictable to live it exactly as you please” and thought “that makes a lot of sense.” It wasn’t until I read more of your post that I realized I read it wrong, lol!
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Well it’s a beautiful thought your way! 🙂
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It’s beautiful said. Thank you. I’d also add that (in my perspective) an even more important definition of “delight” –translated here as “joy”– could also be translated as “peace.” Sometimes I don’t feel a lot of joy, because of external worldly factors, but I DO feel peace when I know I’m doing the will of God-above my own. It’s a divine peace, and the world can not offer this kind of peace. There is nothing quite like His peace, to help me get me through the times that aren’t quite as joyful as I favor!
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Very well put, Christine! 🙂
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