Tag: God’s Correction

My Own Hero

In today’s reading of Jeremiah 8:4-11:23, we see a powerful depiction of human stubbornness and self-deception. God observes that when people fall, they don’t get up again; when they turn away, they don’t turn back. Instead, they persist in their own way, often thinking they are justified in their actions. This is a vivid portrayal of how we often see ourselves as the hero of our own story, convinced of our righteousness and unwilling to admit our faults or seek the right path.

Why do we stay down when we fall? Why are we content to lie in the dirt rather than get up and seek God’s way? Part of the reason is pride; we don’t want to admit that we need help or that we were wrong. Another reason is self-deception; we convince ourselves that our way is just fine, even when it’s leading us further from God. We create narratives that paint us in a positive light, ignoring or downplaying the areas where we’ve gone astray.

But God sees through this self-deception. He calls out to us, not to condemn us but to invite us back to the right path. He knows that true heroism doesn’t come from stubbornly sticking to our own way but from humility, repentance, and the willingness to rise after we’ve fallen.

The question for us today is whether we will continue to be the hero of our own story or whether we will allow God to be the hero who lifts us up, dusts us off, and sets us back on the path of life.

Embracing Correction

As a Little League coach, I teach kids the fundamentals of baseball. One day, while playing catch with my own son, I noticed that some of the harder thrown balls that came near his head caused him to flinch and close his eyes. I always ask him, “Will the ball still hit you if your eyes are closed?” He would say, “Yes,” and I would reply, “Then don’t close them!” This is critical because closing his eyes puts him at greater risk of danger, not less.

This simple lesson from baseball parallels the spiritual lesson in Micah 2:6-11. The Israelites were told not to prophesy about the hard truths, preferring to avoid the discomfort of God’s correction. Much like my son closing his eyes when a ball comes near, they wanted to close their ears to the rebuke and correction that was necessary for their safety and growth.

Why is it that we often want to avoid bad news, especially when it comes to correction or rebuke? It’s natural to prefer comfort and affirmation over discomfort and challenge. Hearing that we are on the wrong path, that our actions are leading to consequences, can be painful and humbling. The prophets in Micah’s time faced resistance because the people did not want to hear about their impending disgrace.

However, avoiding the truth doesn’t change the reality. Just as closing my son’s eyes won’t stop the ball from hitting him, ignoring God’s warnings won’t shield us from the consequences of our actions. In fact, it often places us in greater danger, as we remain blind to the necessary changes we need to make.

Avoiding correction is not just unwise; it’s dangerous. God’s rebuke, though hard to hear, is an expression of His love and desire for our well-being. Hebrews 12:6 tells us, “The Lord disciplines the one he loves, and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.” Ignoring His correction means rejecting His love and guidance.

Furthermore, embracing correction leads to growth and righteousness. Proverbs 12:1 states, “Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, but whoever hates correction is stupid.” It is through acknowledging our faults and making necessary changes that we become more aligned with God’s will and receive His blessings.

Reflect on the areas of your life where you might be avoiding God’s correction. Are there truths you are reluctant to face because they are uncomfortable? Take time to pray and ask God to open your eyes to His guidance. Embrace His correction, knowing that it is for your ultimate good and growth. Remember: even if you close your eyes, the ball will still hit you!