There's a show on TLC (The Learning Channel) called "What Not To Wear." The show selects someone who needs serious fashion help. Typically, they show embarrassing footage. They critique their subjects' wardrobe choices--pointing out what NOT to wear (naturally, of course).
Today's passage reminded me of that show...but with some substance. God gave the prophet Amos some words about what NOT to do. I thought His words were as poignant then as they are today. Take a look:
Woe to those who live only for today,
indifferent to the fate of others!
Woe to the playboys,
the playgirls,
who think life is a party held just for them!
Woe to those addicted to feeling good—life without pain!
those obsessed with looking good—life without wrinkles!
They could not care less
about their country going to ruin.
It's amazing how much we can choose to focus on things that make us feel good, things that are temporary or superficial. It's not wrong to have fun--but when self-centered or temporary things supersede the eternal things that REALLY matter, there's a problem. We can learn from others' mistakes and from this excerpt--what NOT to do can help us focus on the things that really matter--which aren't things at all.
Tomorrow: Obadiah-Jonah
