Doing the right thing (Part 1)

Ezk 8 21. Then I proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance.

I sam 12 20. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: ye have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following the Lord, but serve the Lord with all your heart;
21. And turn ye not aside: for then should ye go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain.
22. For the Lord will not forsake his people for his great name's sake: because it hath pleased the Lord to make you his people.
23. Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you: but I will teach you the good and the right way:
24. Only fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things he hath done for you.

There is a story of a young man who decided that when he bought his first vehicle it would be the epitome of his dreams. He worked and saved and toiled and dreamed, until finally the day arrived when he was able to purchase his dream machine. It was a van: beautiful, loaded, and luxurious; as good as they come; a perfect merging of the engineer's and designer's arts. The young man had every right to expect a great deal from this mechanical marvel, and he drove it off the lot with pride and the aura of a man who knows that destiny and determination have conspired to bring about the perfect union.

The next day, however, the beautiful new van came back to the lot on a tow-truck. It was bent and battered, obviously unable to be driven. Shortly thereafter the livid owner stormed into the salesman's office, not only demanding a complete refund, but also threatening to sue for medical damages.

"What happened?" asked the startled salesman.

"I bought your van," sputtered the young man, "and I drove it out to the interstate to give it a test run. I set the automatic cruise control, went to the back to fix myself a cup of coffee, and it ran off the road!"

I suspect that there is a desire in each of us to put our lives on cruise control. We like to avoid responsibility--we want to sit back, eat, drink and be merry--to enjoy the benefits of the modern world without having to pay much for it