Enid News & Eagle, Okla., Patsy Sorrels column
By Patsy Sorrels, Enid News & Eagle, Okla. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
Sometimes we make promises just to stay out of trouble ... sometimes we make promises we fully intend to keep ... and sometimes we make promises because we want something.
A few days ago, I was pulled over by a very nice police officer -- I won't mention his name, but when I looked in my rear view mirror and saw those flashing lights, my heart jumped to my throat.
I couldn't figure out why he was pulling me over. I know I wasn't speeding and my brake lights were working.
What had I done? As I watched him walk toward my car in my side view mirror, full of authority, dressed in uniform, badge shining, gun on hip, I was freaking out.
My sister started singing, "Bad boys, bad boys, whatcha gona do when they come for you?" Not funny, Donna! On top of that, my sons-in-law, all of them, just happened to be driving by. Well, this is one opportunity they won't soon forget.
I asked the officer if everything was okay and he said, "Do you realize you just made a left hand turn into the far lane?" "Well, now that you mention it, I guess I did," I told him.
By all rights, he had me, and he had the authority to write me a ticket that would probably have gone on my record and affected my insurance, not to mention the cost.
But, he was gracious and forgiving, letting me off with just a warning and a request.
He made me promise to never do it again. I learned something that day about authority and grace. I learned they work very well together, and when used properly, can make a difference in others lives.
I made that officer a promise I fully intend to keep. Not because I was trying to get out of a ticket, but because of something he said to me. "It's a really bad day when I have to work an accident where someone gets seriously hurt, all because someone didn't obey the law."
Vows are an invisible force in the spirit world, beloveds, and the Father-God takes those promises very seriously. He is not frivolous nor trivial when it comes to making good on the promises me make to Him or others. We need to know and understand that. Many times, I have said, "Lord, if you will only do this, I promise to do that," or how about "Lord I promise to never do that again ... just, please fix this for me!"
Don't point fingers at me, you've done the same thing, and most of the time, it's God that holds up His end of the bargain and we are the ones falling short. I am so glad He has a sense of humor and a forgiving spirit, otherwise I could easily find myself paddling backwards, if you know what I mean.
"When you make a vow to God, do not delay in fulfilling it. He takes no pleasure in fools; fulfill your vow. It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it (Ecclesiastes 5:4-5)."
If you are wise, you will keep your promises to God ... or anyone else for that matter, so you don't position yourself as a fool in the eyes of God or man.
God is a covenant God, my friends. He remembers every vow we have ever made; and I promise you, He is faithful to keep His Word and hold up His end of the bargain. The good news is, when we keep our vows, God's very best begins to show up in our lives. Read Deuteronomy 28 and Leviticus 26, if you don't believe me. God guarantees that incredible blessings always come to those who "observe and do all His commandments (Deut. 28:1)."
Saints, God loves it when we believe Him and believe His Word, and it hurts Him when we doubt. He wants to be believed and obedience is the only proof of our faith. "God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent; hath He said, and shall He not do it? or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19).
Obedience produces rewards and blessings in our lives, folks, and there are penalties if we don't. But, that's a different sermon.
It helps me to know what Isaiah 1:19 promises: "If ye are willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land," or Deuteronomy 28:15, which makes my heart very happy "And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God."
Does this make sense? Keeping your word is huge in God's book and being gracious to others, especially when you are a person of authority, can be a big deciding factor in someone's life. God keeps His promise ... we need to do the same.
I got off with a warning. I deserved a ticket. Thank you, officer, for your lenience, for the smile on your face and a gracious heart. Keep doing what you do, it works. I promise to keep my promise.
Thank you Father-God for your favor and thank you for being faithful, even when we are not.
Keep the Faith and worship somewhere today.
Sorrels is News & Eagle editorial assistant and can be reached at [email protected] or at (580) 548-8140.
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(c)2014 the Enid News & Eagle (Enid, Okla.)
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