READ: 1 KINGS 11: 26-39 & 1 KINGS 12: 25-30
Now this is what the Lord says to the family of Israel: Come back to me and live!” (Amos 5:4)
Why would King Solomon, the son of David and the wisest man who ever lived, engage in what I call magical thinking? He knowingly abandoned the Lord in favor of false gods found in lands that comprised his kingdom. Here was a man who started his 61-year reign loving the Lord and following all the instructions of his father. Speculating, we could surmise he got caught up in pride and delusions of self-importance as the most powerful ruler of his time or thought he could abandon the Lord in favor of his own wisdom and persona. Yes, his own human frailty caused him to magically think that he was the master of his destiny. Then, just as his father before him, Jeroboam relegated his thought process’ to magical based thinking when he ignored God’s direction to faithfully manage the northern tribes following the dissolution of his father’s kingdom. Jeroboam, acting out of stubborn selfishness, walked away from God and installed idols to secure his position and power with a predictable result–the end of his family and the Northern Kingdom. God has no tolerance for magical thinking and judgement will be rendered in his timing!
Magical, or delusional thinking, did not leave the planet with the end of Solomon and Jeroboam. It has been alive and well since the fall of man in the Garden and continues through today. It is rooted in selfishness; pride; anger; power; fear; anxiety; escapism; and sinful thoughts and actions that can be as numerous as the stars in the heavens. A few short years ago the world was in the throes of a medical pandemic which left everyone anxious and fearful for the future. It produced some magical thinking as we felt science should be able to produce a cure and vaccine as fast as a microwave cooks our food. Yes, things were expedited, but doing it right without causing further harm took dedicated efforts and time that produced an avalanche of criticism and impatience. Other times this type of magical thinking leads to improper thoughts and behaviors damaging our character, integrity and our souls. This kind of rationalization can produce, among other things, marriage infidelity; unethical or dishonest economic practices; or purposeful neglect of our relationship with Jesus. Truly we are all subject to magical thinking for various reasons. That is why, before we take any action in life, we must submit our plans to Christ for critical review before they lead us down the wrong path.
PAUSE FOR REFLECTION AND PRAYER
What is the status of your thinking right now?
Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us the means to confront our magical thinking and actions through confession, repentance and grace filled forgiveness.