Carried Away
Ever hear the phrase “Don’t get carried away?”
Lately, the idea of someone being ‘carried away’ has been a recurring theme during counseling sessions. It’s almost of epidemic proportions; striking people in their 30’s and even their 60’s. Perhaps the state of being ‘carried away’ is happening in your life too. Let’s look at that for a moment:
Being a ‘Boomer’ (thank-you-very-much), we used to call people who easily get ‘carried away,’ with wild schemes, dreams, and imaginations; those that chased after rainbows, but were seldom on time for work or a promised meet-up… we called them: “Shaky and/or Flakey.” My personal preference was to utilize the adjective, Shaky.
These were the folks that earnestly assured us: “Soon as I hit the Lotto, I’m going to get my guitar out of hock (pawn shop) and get the band back together!” In our teens and early 20’s we sat on the sidelines nodding and responding with, “okay, that’ll be cool,” while we shuffled off to cram for exams, or to work the next day, or to do a load of laundry. Time marched on and we did the mundane, unglamorous tasks; we settled in to make sock puppets for the kids, joined the PTA or a local Church for the benefit of our families. We became “Square” just like most of our parents (EeeK!).
Its’ natural to stop and take stock of the direction of life (on planet earth) as you slide into middle years (30’s, 40’s). Sadly, many people who got carried away in youth become anxious and make drastic decisions that essentially blame someone (other than themselves) for the sum total of their lives up until now: It’s my Father/Mother’s fault; I married the wrong woman/man; I picked the wrong profession; the wrong place to live; or the wrong car, etc.
Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones (m’Boy!) sang: “I can’t git no… Sa-tiz-fac-shun’….But I try and I try, and I try, and I try… but I can’t git no… No, no, no… hey, hey, hey… that’s what I say…!”
By the way: This type of thinking is the root cause of sickness. It opens the door of invitation to sickness and disease (Dis-Ease, Dis-satisfied). Dissatisfaction is a destructive force, a powerful weapon that Satan uses to fulfill his mandate, which is ALWAYS to: Kill, steal and destroy.
How many famous people have had all the money, fame, and privileges in their lives, only to be found anguished, tortured and empty at the end of their days? They had all the trappings of success, but only God can give ‘good’ success; any other kind is simply an empty shell; a lie.
“But I try and I try…” Okay, perhaps that’s the problem right there; stop trying. That is correct: Stop Trying! Puleeze people; give it a rest, why don’cha? You see, ‘Shaky’ has a new plan-per-minute and they all involve running to and fro; becoming carried away captive by one thing or person after another as the new ‘big answer’ to all their ‘Shaky’ problems. When that doesn’t work; they drop it and run to the next ‘Shaky’ plan, situation or partner.
Being ‘Shaky’ afflicts more people than we’d imagine. Sometimes, it just takes longer to see the results of a ‘Shaky’ outlook and lifestyle if the person is wealthy: in money and in friends. This was the main situation in the Bible story about The Prodigal Son. Luke 15:11-32
What God’s word says about being ‘Shaky’
A little sleep, a little slumber; a little folding of the hands to sleep and so shall your poverty creep up upon you and overtake you. Proverbs 24:33
Look to the ant you sluggard… Proverbs 6:6
A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways. James 1:8 (The purest definition of ‘Shaky’).
Sin crouches at the door. Genesis 4:6-7
Folly (Foolishness) calls to you from the doorway like a wanton woman, beckoning you to come in for a while. Proverbs 9: 13-14
What God’s word says about Steadfastness
“Be anxious for nothing (no thing), but by prayer, and supplication (earnest pleading) with thanksgiving, make your requests known unto GOD and the peace of God which passes ALL understanding will keep your heart (guard your heart) and mind (guard your mind) in Christ Jesus (as a safe deposit).” Philippians 4:6-7 (in context read: Phil. 4: 4-8)
“…but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord…”Joshua 24:15 {Joshua stood up to the ‘Shaky’ folks surrounding him. In fact, Joshua had spent forty years dealing with a bunch of knuckle-heads who threw Moses and God under-the-bus at every wind of challenge and temptation}. The book of Joshua is highly recommended reading.
Obtaining Steadfastness through Christ
“Cast all of your care upon Him, because He cares for you…” I Peter 5:7
“If your heart is single, than your eye (what you focus upon) will be single…” (Setting our hearts desire upon whatever our Heavenly Father wants for us) Matthew 6:22 and Luke 11:34
“I know my heart and plans for you. My plans for you are not evil, but good, to give you a future and a hope…” Jeremiah 29:11
Still not sure what God wants for your life? Just ask Him. Take off your ‘Shaky’ running shoes, sit down, get quiet before Him; ask Him and wait for the answer. You may as well wait; since without His direction for your life, you won’t have ‘good’ success anyway.
Jesus speaks to our ‘Shaky’ little hearts: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock.” Rev. 3:20
AMEN. Be Blessed!
Lighthouse Ministries 