I watched "Whiplash" this past weekend. The movie is about 2 equally obsessive men. One is a music teacher, a man who emotionally abuses his students in horrific ways because he is so consumed with perfection. This obsession is matched only by Andrew, an aspiring drummer who will do anything to acheive perfection as well.
It was during this film that I was reminded of this fundamental truth:
We will sacrifice anything to get what we want.
That's the way we were made. We have been created as "want creatures." We always go after whatever we want most, sacrificing anything that gets in the way. When God holds this place in our lives, we live without fear of man or death. When any created thing replaces the Creator, we continue the cycle of sin and brokenness, hurting others and ourselves.
In the movie, Andrew alienates any potential friends, refuses to keep a relationship with the only girl who has ever liked him, and even goes to a performance after being blindsided by an 18-wheeler. All this because he wants to be the best drummer in the world. And he wants it more than anything else in his life.
In the movie, Andrew alienates any potential friends, refuses to keep a relationship with the only girl who has ever liked him, and even goes to a performance after being blindsided by an 18-wheeler. All this because he wants to be the best drummer in the world. And he wants it more than anything else in his life.
Think about your life. What is it that you're sacrificing? Whatever we're sacrificing is a good indication of what it is that we are worshiping above all else.
And if you're like me, you often don't like what you find.
So how do we change?
I think it begins with acknowledging what (or WHO) we should be "wanting above all else." After that, the first step is simply...worship.
So slow down...set a timer for AT LEAST 10 minutes, and pray through this Psalm. I've also included 3 questions at the end to help you reflect on where your worship is right now.
Prayer - Psalm 103
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits,
who forgives all your iniquity,
who heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit,
who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness and justice for all who are oppressed. He made known his ways to Moses, his acts to the people of Israel.
The LORD is merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. He will not always chide, nor will he keep his anger forever. He does not deal with us according to our sins, nor repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his steadfast love toward those who fear him;
As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.
As a father shows compassion to his children, so the LORD shows compassion to those who fear him.
As for man, his days are like grass; he flourishes like a flower of the field; for the wind passes over it, and it is gone, and its place knows it no more.
But the steadfast love of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear him, and his righteousness to children's children, to those who keep his covenant and remember to do his commandments.
The LORD has established his throne in the heavens, and his kingdom rules over all.
Bless the LORD, O you his angels, you mighty ones who do his word, obeying the voice of his word!
Bless the LORD, all his hosts, his ministers, who do his will!
Bless the LORD, all his works, in all places of his dominion.
Bless the LORD, O my soul!
Questions for Reflection:
- What are you stressed/worried about right now?
- How did you see God move yesterday?
- What are you thankful for today?
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Evan Smith
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