Jan. 27 - Not Living Up to Potential

From the First Lesson for this day, Ezekiel 28:11-19

I have heard that there were parents who used to tell their kids, "One day when you grow up you can be ________."

They see that potential in their children. I saw it my children. Allison was born at a time when girls were coming into their own - women in the 1970's forged the way and girls of the 1980's are filled with the talents to be anything they want. Alex was musical from the get go, with a talent for rhythm that I never had and a sense for sound and expression that would lead him anywhere.

Then comes sin. It's the same for all children, including me. We are filled with potential and the life of sin takes its toll. I know a bright young man who finished over three years of college, only to drop out because of malaise. I know a state champion level wrestler who would have gone to college on a scholarship had he not dropped out six weeks before graduation because of his drug habit.

This is what the Lord is lamenting in this passage, relating to the King of Tyre: "Thou sealest up the sum, full of wisdom, and perfect in beauty. Thou hast been in Eden the garden of God... the workmanship of thy tabrets and of thy pipes was prepared in thee in the day that thou wast created... thou wast upon the holy mountain of God; thou hast walked up and down in the midst of the stones of fire. Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee."

I look at my own life. While I have successfully dodged the "big sins" and their ruinous effects, I have plenty of times committed "little sins." I have harbored unforgiveness. I have thought ill of my neighbor. I haven't been as generous as I could be. I have yielded to "iniquity" in many small ways over my life time. The result of these little sins is no less dramatic.

- Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty
- Thou hast corrupted thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness
- Thou hast defiled thy sanctuaries by the multitude of thine iniquities

The King of Tyre is not so much different than me, I guess. May I get past my sins to live the life God has called me to live.