No Mirage

Read 2 Timothy 3:14-17

Looking up from her book, Sara said, “The girl in this book is always seeing mirages. Are there really such things, Dad?”

“Sure,” replied Dad. “A mirage is an optical illusion. For instance, a thirsty person in a desert might think he sees a lake or stream up ahead, but the water really isn’t there.”

Sara went back to her book. Just then her little sister, Kari, came toddling into the room, banging two toys together. “Play with me?” she asked.

Sara scowled. “Can’t you see I’m trying to concentrate on this book?” she snapped. “Now get out of here.” Kari’s lip quivered, and she toddled back out of the room.

Then the sounds of voices and laughter came floating into the room as Sara’s brother, Dan, and his friends talked about the latest basketball game. “Can’t you guys pipe down?” yelled Sara angrily. “You sound like a bunch of squealing pigs.”

Dad put down his paper and looked sternly at Sara. “Sara, you’ve been rude to both your sister and brother this evening—and I’ve noticed you acting like that a lot lately. You have to change your ways,” he said.

“But, Dad, they drive me crazy,” objected Sara.

“Then it’s a perfect time to start practicing the command of God that we read in devotions today,” Dad told her. “Remember it?”

Sara pouted as she shook her head. “I forgot,” she mumbled.

Dad frowned. “What was that word you asked about—mirage? Well, I’m afraid you treat the commands in the Bible as if they’re a mirage,” he said. “You see them, but you act as if they’re not really there. They are real, and God intends for us to put them into practice—so listen again. The verse we read was Philippians 4:5: ‘Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do.’ This command is not a mirage, Sara. We need to be gentle with others in every way, including our speech.”

Sara sighed. She knew Dad was right. “I . . . I’m sorry,” she said. “I’ll honestly try to do better and to be more polite.”

How about you?

Do you read and hear God’s commands without obeying? His commands are no mirage. They’re real, and he wants you to obey them. Sometimes the hardest place to be gentle and polite is in your own family. If you really want to please him in this, ask God to help you, and he will.

Memorize:

“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.” Philippians 4:5