Greater Than

Following the Leader

There is nothing quite as exciting as opening my blinds in the morning to a present of pristine snow.  It’s like a glittery gift God sent just for us girls who like sparkly things.  Snow has the ability to transform the weeds in my flower bed into the most incredible winter arrangement.  It blankets the pasture with a tempting perfectness that a part of me wants to keep forever and the other part of me wants to run through.

As I’m writing this it is about 20 degrees outside.  While that is freezing to most people, it is even more so to me.  You see, I grew up in San Diego, which is why the snow is still so fascinating to me.  I have lived in Central Oregon for about five years now, which translated into temperature language means that I no longer break out my heavy coat, scarf, gloves and hat when it’s 50 out.  Twenty degrees is COLD though, and while I enjoy beauty the snow creates outside, I still don’t like driving in it. 

That was my thought as I maneuvered my way down the street to the church this morning.  Snow definitely encourages everyone to slow down.  As I was staying on the path marked by the cars that had gone before me, I was reminded of how easy it would be to slide off that path and create my own.  Sure, there was a path laid out for me, but wouldn’t it be more fun to make my own tracks, and leave my own mark?  How much like my everyday life was the drive into work.  How easy it is to slide off the path God has laid out for me, either because of my own desire to take a different path,  or because I choose to follow the temptations that ultimately would lead me stranded in the ditch on the side of the road. 

God has promised that He knows the plans He has for each of us (Jeremiah 29:11).  He will guide us down the path He has laid out if we choose to follow Him (Proverbs 3:5-6).  However, it may not always be the way we want to go.  It definitely won’t be the way most of the people around us choose (Matthew 7:13-14).  Like the snow, it may come to you with mixed feelings.  It may be something that you’re okay looking at, but don’t think you want to actually participate in.  It will be good though (James 1:17).  I encourage you to follow His path.  In doing so, you will definitely leave a mark where you and God have been—which, it turns out, is some of the most fun you will ever have.

Sex Sells

They say sex sells,
but what does it sell?
Can it really sell
hamburgers,
     cars,
          perfume?

And yet people
spend at least
three times longer
looking at a beautiful
woman
than a man
women critique
her every flaw
men devour
her every
body part

What does it sell?
disease
     unplanned pregnancy
          broken relationship
               adultery
                    betrayal
                         wrecked homes
the idea
that what is
beautiful
committed
sacred
is no more
than the
mundane,
everyday,
advertising tool