5:80 – Just because it’s working, doesn’t mean it’s right.

#faithbites #faithjourney working

Intro

Have you ever heard the abbreviation BTTWWADI? Some pronounce it, “Butt-wad-ee”. It means, “Becuase That’s The Way We Always Did It.” I was reflecting on how today, both adults in the household could be working full time, and overtime, and struggle to make ends meat. People are at or below the poverty line and working like dogs. We think it’s normal for both people to work outside the home, send the kids away for large chunks of the day, then rinse and repeat. If we go back to the 50s and 60s that wasn’t the case for the majority. (And no, I don’t think things back then were perfect.. It was a mess for rights for minorities and women”). We think because that’s the way we always did it, and it’s working, that it’s right. We may be sliding downward but can’t see it.

Tbat was a long way to say, just because it seems to be working, doesn’t mean it is or it’s right.

Questions

• Have you ever really looked at what you do day to day to see if it’s right?
• Do things seem to be working, so you let it go?
• Do things seem to be working, and you don’t think if there’s a better way?

Scripture

• Proverbs 21:3 – To do righteousness and justice is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.
• Deuteronomy 6:18 – You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the Lord, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the Lord swore to give your fathers.

Reflection

When we do what is working over what is right, we decieve ourselves. God shows us clearly that we need to be righteous and just over struggling for the way of the world. Yes, the Lord says sacrifice. We try to work as hard as we can to pay our dues to make it work, when that might not be what God wants. He also tells us that when we do what is right in His eyes, we will posses good land. God doesn’t say to sacrifice and struggle for the land and it will be yours. We aren’t working for reward but because we love him. The reward comes from his love.

As we close, remember that hard work is good when we work on the right things. Also remember that ust becuase things seem to be working out, doesn’t mean this is the right way or the best way. Turn towards God, focus on him. He will provide the answer.

Prayer

Father God, we are accustomed to doing things the way the world tells us to. You’ve told us that there is a better way. Help us do what is right over what is expected. Help us make the best decisions and use of our time that we can. We know that we can do all things through you. We pray this in your name, Amen.