by Sandy Kirby Quandt

When I was in college, one of my professors told the story of a young girl who asked her mother why she always cut a roast into two pieces and placed them into two different pans whenever she cooked it. The mother replied it was what her mother always did.

They decided to ask the grandmother why she cooked a roast like that. The grandmother said, “Because I never had a pan big enough for a whole roast.”

The young girl’s mother cooked a roast the way her mother had, regardless if it made sense to continue doing it the same way or not, because she was doing things the way they’ve always been done.

This reminded me of a story about King Uzziah in 2 Kings 15.

Uzziah became king over Judah when he was sixteen years old. He reigned for fifty-two years. During that time, he did what was pleasing to God except for one thing. He did not destroy the pagan shrines. Because of that, people continued to offer sacrifices and burned offerings in those shrines to their pagan gods.

Although Uzziah was devoted to the Lord, and accomplished many good things for the people of Judah during his reign, he followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather who had not destroyed the shrines during their reigns. Uzziah’s ancestors allowed the shrines to continue to exist and Uzziah simply followed the examples he grew up with.

So I’m wondering …

Are there things we hold onto from our past that we should let go of? Things that have always been done this way, but which aren’t the best way to do them?

Instead of cutting the roast into two pieces and placing it in two separate pans because that’s the way it’s always been done, how about we look at Jesus’ life and see what he has to say and follow his example?

Is there something you do that has been passed down through the generations and you really don’t know why you continue to do it, other than that’s the way it’s always been done?

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Following the example of his father, he did what was pleasing to the Lord. But the pagan places of worship were not destroyed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 2 Kings 15:3-4 (GNT)

I wish you well.

Sandy

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One of my posts is scheduled to appear on Inspire a Fire February 2, 2016. Please stop by and check it out.