A Riddle

I’m normally not one to knock the media for doing its job of reporting the events around me that can, and sometimes do, affect my life. I know that without the media we would be a lot more blind and ignorant of the activities of our leaders and of world affairs, but sometimes reporters just aren’t satisfied with reporting the facts, because though it may be a story that needs to be told, the story just isn’t juicy enough. Let me put it this way. How would you feel if you accidentally shot your friend? What’s the first thing you’d do? Call the newspaper? Call a radio or TV station? This sort of accident, and as embarrassing as it is, it’s still an accident, happens hundreds of times a year in this country, and most people don’t even know it. But, because the vice-president is involved, what reporter is willing to be satisfied with simply reporting the facts and the true remorse expressed by the vice-president? If the facts were reported with a little optimism instead of theatrical skepticism, I think we’d have a lot less depression in this world. Unfortunately, some good reporters have some really bad habits. Enough of that, let me put my soapbox away. Watch your thoughts; They become your words. Watch your words; They become your actions. Watch your actions; They become your habits. Watch your habits; They become your character. Watch your character; It becomes your destiny.
I’ve got a “Riddle” for ya. I’m your constant companion. I am your greatest helper or your heaviest burden. I will push you outward or drag you down to failure. I am completely at your command. Half the things you do might just as well be turned over to me and I will be able to do them quickly and correctly. I am easily managed; you must merely be firm with me. Show me exactly how you want something done and after a few lessons, I will do it automatically. I am the servant of all great people and alas, of all failures as well. Those who are failures, I have made failures. I am not a machine, though I work with all the precision of a machine plus the intelligence of a person. You may run me for profit or run me for ruin - it makes no difference to me. Take me, train me, be firm with me and I will place the world at your feet. Be easy with me and I will destroy you. Who am I?
[Galatians 5: 13-26] I’ve been hearing a song on the radio lately, I believe sung by Bette Midler, “From A Distance”, about how we deal with things of the world as we view them from a distance and then again up close. The refrain (chorus) of the song says… “God is watching us from a distance”. That struck me as being very sad to think that God is simply observing and “reporting” our actions. And maybe that’s why most people feel they can deal with life in different ways depending on the circumstances. “I can do what pleases me, even though I know it isn’t right, and as long as I do something good later on to off set it, God will be pleased.” As hard as it may be to understand, God, like any hard-nosed reporter, wants to be in ever aspect of your life. God wants you to know right from wrong and live a righteous life, full of love and void of conflict. My God sees to it that I feel guilt and remorse for the selfish deeds I conduct in my life. But, unlike badgering “I got’cha” reporters, God is forever accepting my confession and forgiving my sins. Are fruits of the spirit growing in me? You bet! His truth draws me out of the world, but God isn’t done with me yet. Oh, the answer to the riddle: HABIT