Lately I've been saturated with the constant reminder that nothing lasts forever. My high school career is coming to a close, I'm moving to a new place, my best friends aren't going to be there for me so tangibly. Trust me, world, I was acquainted with this whole notion when my gameboy broke in third grade. Everything breaks, you can't depend on anything outliving you, nothing in this world is going to make it out alive. And I'm okay with that.
In elementary school I can recall breaking a pair of jelly sandals that were clear with sparkles and had a heel filled with colored, plastic sea creatures swimming around in the water-like substance. I went through three pairs of those that summer. By the second pair I was reminded that they were cheap, but I could just buy another pair and remain stylish until school rolls back around. Eventually the blisters on my feet and the sore ankles I received from having twisting them so many times finally got to me and I stuck my toes into a pair of Sketchers for the remainder of that August.
All I ever wanted was to be able to wear those sparkly, jelly shoes, and for awhile I got away with it, until the ice baths and permanent dirt lines became too much for me. I had to simplify and do something that was totally socially unacceptable at that time--heck, at this time! Those Sketchers were hideous, but they outwore that summer and bled into the next. They allowed me to jump higher and run faster. They weren't very cute but they were the shoes I felt most comfortable in. I just had to break my feet to realize what would be best for me.
We read in the bible, and hear in the news even, how Israel is repeatedly on God's bad side. They do something their own way and God has to dig them out of themselves and come save them. He breaks his legs to bring them back.
It's easy to examine a country and point out their flaws but I know I find myself doing the same thing. I try to do things my way and I ignore God the first time when He tells me no, this isn't the right way. I hear Him the second time but I continue wearing those adorable sparkly, jelly shoes; it's not until He breaks my legs and says I told you so when I actually listen to Him. I don't know what part of my humanity that keeps allowing this to happen but it's time for that to be chiseled out. If I'm constantly having to be reminded of God's will, His good, pleasing and perfect will for my life, I'm never going to be able to get anything done! So today, I surrender my adorable sparkly, jelly shoes and I'll wear those grotesque Sketchers until I'm mature enough to jump higher on my own.
