30 Apr
Genuine Item or Fake?
I go to a college full of pranksters. You have to be constantly on guard around my friends. In the words of a cowboy friend, we’ve all “been had” at some point or another. There have been some pretty good pranks since I’ve been at college, but this week a prank was pulled that beat the rest – I mean, this was the practical joke of the century!
A friend of mine, Zach, had been pranked by another friend, David. So Zach decided to exact revenge. He created a Facebook account for a fake girl. Her name was “Kelly.” He created all of her personal information, posted pictures of one of his friends (a girl David wouldn’t recognize) and made her appear perfect. Among other things, her email address was proverbs31girl04@____.com.
“Kelly” contacted David and began conversing with him for a couple of days. David totally took the bait – hook, line, and sinker – and fell hard and fast for this girl. He was so excited that a girl this amazing and this beautiful would pursue him! He told all of his friends (including me) about Kelly and how he thought she was “the one” for him… all of the things that usually accompany a high school or college crush. The problem was that this girl did not exist, a fact which he would soon realize. “Kelly” asked David to coffee at Starbucks and the poor victim went like a lamb to slaughter. David waited eagerly at Starbucks, but at the appointed time Zach appeared, handed him some flowers, and introduced himself as “Kelly!” David was so disappointed. This fantasy girl with whom he had nearly fallen in love turned about to be absolutely fake and he admitted that it was the best revenge prank he’d ever seen.
This made me think about my walk with the Lord. How many times do I fall for a fake when the genuine item, Jesus, desires a true relationship with me? Sometimes a sin, or a relationship, or a particular venture seems so right, but then it turns out to be completely wrong. It might appear pleasurable, but Hebrews 11 reminds Christians that sin is only for a season, and then reality hits – it is a fake, a fraud. Romans 1:24-25 says that God judged humanity because we exchanged the truth of God for lie. I am challenged greatly by these verses and hope that I will recognize a fake when one presents itself. What about you? Have you fallen in love with a lie, or do you love the one true God?
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About the Author
Andrew Hebert is a student at Criswell College. He enjoys reading, eating Mexican food, watching the Houston Astros, and listening to any kind of music. He and his wife, Amy, reside in Dallas and are expecting their first child in June.
