The Original Ten by Brenda J Wood

 

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Again, this year, instead of fifty things to do before I die, I determine to concentrate on the original ten. I intentionally examine my life for areas where I put anything before God and his will for me. I confess to making a few graven images over the years; whether by chance or happenstance. I ask God to help me recognize them and then help me clear them out of my life.

My tongue often slips a gear or two and drops words that disrespect God’s holiness. And I have to guard my eyes too. What am I reading or watching?

I will make the Sabbath Day a holy experience by setting aside my to-do list and connecting with God and others.

I honoured my parents the best I could while they were alive and now, I honour their memory, by remembering the good things about them, not dwelling on their human failures.

I haven’t physically killed anyone (that I know of), but I have slaughtered a few with unkind words and untruths about them. It is rumoured that canola oil is a bug killer and therefore will kill us. The truth is, it smothers bugs. but I doubt that humans will be dunked in it.

Physical adultery never crossed my mind, but my actions sometimes separated me from God, my spiritual spouse. I confess I sometimes withhold my thoughts, actions or finances from God when it suits my purposes. I’ve taken credit when the credit belonged to God, I’ve mistreated my own body, in contradiction to God’s commands for its treatment. And then I treat these failures as small and unimportant in God’s eyes.

I confess to bearing false witness. I’ve shared gossip and passed other untruths because I didn’t check facts. Currently, some stopped eating ketchup because it is now made with a slurry not tomato paste. A slurry to the mix of tomatoes not yet boiled down to the consistency of paste. Little knowledge and a big mouth bearing false witness against others.

And finally, I willfully crave what others have, like another anniversary with my dear husband, or abundant income or stable weight that includes daily quarts of ice-cream and brownies.

These ten set high standards, but they aren’t mine. They are God’s. (Exodus 20:1-17) Again this year, I aim to fulfill them in my life. Will I? Probably not. But my goal is to stop treading in the old footpaths of my errors and start a newly forgiven path with goals that count.

The Lord said to his people, “Stand at the crossroads and look. Ask for the ancient paths and where the best road is. Walk in it, and you will live in peace.” (Jeremiah 6:16, GN)

Brenda J Wood has authored more than fifty books. She is a seasoned motivational speaker, who declares the Word of God with wisdom, humour, and common sense.