REFUSALS
Today's reading:  2 Kings 21-22

"He abandoned the Lord, the God of his ancestors, and he refused to follow the Lord's ways."  2 Kings 21:22 NLT

Refused?  Really?

Sounds so harsh.  So arrogant.  So blatant.

Did he stomp his feet and cross his arms across his chest?  Did he shake a finger in the Lord's face?

Let's soften it some, as so many of us do, and while we're at it, we'll put a personal spin on it--

We pretend not to hear and we busy ourselves with other godly tasks.

We opt for the easier route, the more comfortable path.

We ignore His leadings.

We assume it's meant for someone else to do.

We tell Him, the Creator and Sustainer of this great blue and green orb, 'no thanks', in our kindest voice.

We explain to the Lord, in very specific detail, how it should it be done and how His ideas should be re-arranged to match ours.

We (big gulp) refuse to follow the Lord's ways.

If we're not doing what He's asked, we're refusing--there's no softening the edges of it!