As I read through the pages of the old testament, I read of the “wicked man”. And before I really get into the words and description of his character, he starts to jump off the pages of my imagination. I imagine a scary man. A monster. He’s mean. He treats others poorly. His words degrade others. This character seems distant from my circle; unknown.
Is That a Mirror?
As I continue to read the description of the “wicked man”, I get closer to the words. Suddenly the words become mirror-like, with a reflective quality about them. The wicked man …
He boasts about the cravings of his heart; he blessed the greedy and reviles the Lord. In his pride the wicked man does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God. His ways are always prosperous; your laws are rejected by him; he sneers at all his enemies. He says to himself, “Nothing will ever shake me.” He swears, “No one will ever do me harm.” Psalm 10:3-6
I Know Her
Wait a minute. I know that person. Is that me? A reflection of my old man? The one that was born again. I think I recognize her. She was a great career woman. She was going somewhere; goal driven; focused. She was continually planning her next step. Always in the process of achieving her next target. People loved her. Independent and strong. She laughed at anyone that thought she couldn’t do it. Little did they know she’d never met a goal she couldn’t achieve.
He says to himself, “God will never notice he covers his face and never sees”. Psalms 10:11
Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, “He won’t call me to account”? Psalms 10:13
Pride, Focus, and Goals
Oh, she knew she was commanded to put God first. And honestly, she had no clue what that really meant and likely didn’t even realize she wasn’t. She didn’t have time for such thoughts. She was focused on her #goals. And anyway, she was a good person. She was kind to people and they admired her for it. Surely God didn’t have an issue with that.
Yep, that’s her. I thought she looked familiar. So it turns out the “wicked man” isn’t some unknown distant monster. The “wicked man” is an old version of me. A version with a heart turned away from God. She doesn’t even realize the direction of her heart. For her, it’s turned towards her goals. That can’t be a bad thing, right?
God before Goals
Having goals isn’t a bad thing.
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
“Teacher, which is the greastest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment”. Matthew 22:35-37
