When good goes to your head...

Today: Ezekiel 28-30

Have you ever had too much of a good thing? Like too much ice cream...only to get a nasty ice cream headache? Or too much exercise...to the point where you could barely walk the next day? (Okay, so I realize those are polar opposite "good things," but the people reading this could have different perspectives.) :)

In today's passage, God has some conversations with people who let good things go to their heads. Let's review His message here:

You used your head well,

worked good deals,

made a lot of money.

But the money has gone to your head,

swelled your head—

what a big head!...

Or here:

Your beauty went to your head.

You corrupted wisdom

by using it to get worldly fame...

Maybe you read these verses and thought, "Well, I'm not like that person. I don't let money, wisdom or beauty go to my head." Perhaps. But take a look at this part of the passage:

You,
a mere mortal,
not even close to being a god,
A mere mortal
trying to be a god...

Okay, so perhaps now you're thinking, "I know I'm not a god. I'm not THAT cocky!" However, I think sometimes even humble humans try to be god-like when they try to take total control over their lives, when they act as if they don't want or need the real God at all.

It's a common human tendency since the beginning of time (just ask Adam and Eve!), but that doesn't make it right. God gives all of us the gift of free will...which means we are as free to choose stupidity as we are to choose wisdom. The good gift of free will is something that can go to our heads just as much as money, wisdom or beauty can.

Instead, let's choose to be thankful for the gifts God gives us, but recognize the goodness in our lives comes from Him. Let's choose to acknowledge God as God...which means understanding we are not. And to be perfectly honest, there is great freedom--a gift actually--in that recognition itself.

Tomorrow: Ezekiel 31-33