Another False Idol

I sinned against the LORD and my wife today. Granted, I do that pretty much every day without knowing about it, but today it was blatantly obvious. Thank the LORD for grace, patience, forgiveness, and mercy! In the spirit of taking a bad situation and pulling something good out of it, and least I came to realize something that hopefully can be useful to another brother or sister.

Among the many false idols that we must be wary of, reason can be one of them as well.

Specific examples aside, here is the situation. My wife wanted something done. Just a not-too-difficult task that came out of an off the cuff remark. The task seems to be pointless. It seems to be a waste of time, a little bit of money, and encourages something else that seems to be a further waste of time. To appease the logical side of my brain, a reasonable reason needs to be given! My wife thinks the asking in itself is enough of a reason.

Guess what? She was right.

After sinfully contributing to my end of the ensuing argument and sucking joy out of our lives, for a short time, for both of us, I got the reason I was seeking. It was a valid one. It contributed to further bonding between her and some members of the family she is trying to get closer to. Perfectly valid, as relationships are very important.

However, she was still right. I didn't need to know that. The asking in itself should have been enough for me if I was loving her correctly. Christ didn't say "ask, present your case in a good amount of detail, and it shall be given". Our dad in heaven doesn't just answer the prayers that have a rock solid court room style defense laid out for our requests. So who am I to demand more than God?

No, sometimes loving our wives also means trusting them and seeking to be a blessing when opportunities come up -- even ones we don't understand. We don't need to understand, whether or not there is a good reason to be had.

I'm so glad the Spirit convicts us soundly when we do wrong. Praise the LORD for his correction, his patience and his love!

Grace and Peace