28 Aug
Diet Coke Will Be the Death of Him…
My dad only spends money on the absolute, basic necessities for survival. For this reason, when I entered our basement and beheld a brand-new pool table, I was convinced he’d gone crazy. (I also discovered a pair of blue-flame rimmed sunglasses and a blown speaker in his car. I rest my case.) He adored his new purchase, and laws were quickly dictated:
GOLDEN RULE: Thou shall not have food/drink near pool table.
*amendment: Thou shall not bring food/drink into basement…period.
*amendment: Thou shall refrain from even looking at pool table if food/drink can still be smelt on your breath.
Unfortunately my cousin JP missed the memo.
Despite several warnings, JP allowed his Diet Coke to boldly go where no drink had gone before–the pool table’s lair! Initially the exiled beverage was restricted to safely rest upon a distant bookshelf. However, quickly tiring of hiking across the basement every time he was thirsty, the Diet Coke slowly began inching closer and closer into forbidden territory. A glimmer caught my eye. I looked up in utter horror as my worst nightmare became reality. There, standing defiantly upon the ledge of the pool table, was the Diet Coke, and JP’s hand was blindly reaching up for it.
“NOOOOOOOO!!!” I bellowed in a deep resonating voice, and in slow motion my hand raced out to intercept…Bang! Glub glub glub… Too late! Jumping up, our hearts froze. Where our expensive pool table had once proudly stood; now sat a coke-filled paddling pool.
Pitifully JP came sprinting back into the room arms full of toilet paper, “HELP!” Rubbing the abominable wet spot like a madman the stain merely spread. As Coke began dripping through the bottom of the table onto the carpet I could fainting hear him mumbling, “Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death…”
“JP, you need to go tell my dad.” Turning his pale, sweaty face toward me, he shook his head, “You’re crazy! He’ll tear me apart and cook me in garlic sauce!” (Oh yeah. Good point.) Without another word, he dashed from the room.
JP realized he had messed up big time and rightly feared the consequences. He knew the rules and he broke them. Just as he had been warned, his worst fears were realized. We have all had that sickening feeling when we knew we have blown it. People warned us it would happen. The Bible was clear about what was right and wrong. Yet for some bewildering reason, we went ahead and did it anyway. Now we dread facing the music.
At times we view God the way my cousin saw my dad—with terror! We can be like Adam and Eve after they sinned and foolishly try to hide. But it’s no use. Unlike my dad, God knows the moment we mess up. Actually, He knows what we will do before we sin. But He also stands ready to forgive us and restore us into a relationship with Him where we don’t need to fear. The writer of Proverbs wisely conveyed: “He who covers his sins will not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy.” (Prov. 28:13). If you have been hiding your sin, confess it today and find freedom.
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Filed in: Fear, Forgiveness, Grace
About the Author
Daniel Blackaby is a junior in college, living in Simpsonville, SC. His biggest passions in life are music and literature. He plays guitar in a Christian rock band and also plays bass guitar, drums, and keyboard.
Apart from playing music, Daniel loves to listen to all types of music and has over 700 CDs on his iTunes. He admits he’s a huge nerd who loves to read and enjoys collecting classic literature. He loves to hang out and have a good time, but his primary goal is to try and live life to the fullest and glorify God in everything he does. You can contact him by email at boonster11@hotmail.com.
Read more about Daniel here.
