Jim Gallagher

Exodus 6:9
“So Moses spoke thus to the children of Israel; but they did not heed Moses, because of anguish of spirit and cruel bondage.”

Over the centuries, one of the most lucrative businesses was the spice trade. There were times when certain spices were worth their weight in gold. Names like Magellan, Columbus and Sir Francis Drake, are just of few of the names associated with those who would journey the world, in search of new found flavors. At one time, salt was so valuable the phrase “he’s not worth his weight in salt”, was a common way to express the value of an individual. The word “salary” is actually derived from the Latin word for salt.

As valuable as spices may have become, they were always intended to be flavor enhancers, and never to be the main course. Emotions are much like that. God designed us with the ability to experience great emotion, but these feelings were designed to enhance life, not to rule life. The children of Israel found themselves doubting the promises of God, and refusing to walk in the ways of God, because of the anguish they were experiencing. The difficulties they were experiencing, and the pain they had to endure, were driving their decisions and making it difficult for them to follow God.

This is a common phenomenon. We often allow emotions to drive, when they were designed to simply flavor the way. Over the years, I have had many opportunities to travel and teach pastors, missionaries and Bible students. In almost every case, my journeys have been filled with a variety of emotions, not the least of which have been fear and trepidation. I love my family, my church, and my home, and really have little desire to ever be apart from them. When the time arrives for me to board another plane, I almost always wish I wasn’t doing it, but I move forward because emotions are never the best way to make decisions.

If we want to effectively follow and serve the Lord, we must understand that the emotions we face, no matter how severe, are emotions, and the real driving force behind our lives must be a determination to do the will of God, at all cost. Regardless of what your emotions are telling you to do, regarding your marriage, family, occupation, or fellowship, take time to look at the Word of God, and allow it to light your path and drive your decisions.

Pastor Jim