The other day I was putting air in my car’s tires. The small wording on the side of the tires warned me, “Maximum pressure: 35 psi.”
I’m no mechanic, but this is good information to know. I’ve been told that too much air in a tire will negatively affect braking, cornering, and overall stability. Less of the tire touches the ground when tire pressure is too high. As a result, a car will tend to bounce around on the road and its tires will lose traction. We all need air in our tires, and we won’t get very far on a tire that is low or flat. But as with many things in life, too much of a good thing can be detrimental.
Take, for example, something as basic as food. We all need to eat. But the Bible clearly warns against the dangers of overeating (Proverbs 23:20-21).
Needing too much of a good thing can also show up in our relationships. For instance, the Old Testament character Leah (Rachel’s older sister and Jacob’s first wife) was a woman who seemed to need her husband’s love too much. From the start of a marriage that was born out of deception, Jacob made no bones about the fact that he loved Rachel much more than Leah (Genesis 29:30).
Coming in second place left Leah heartbroken. Sadly, she thought she could win more of Jacob’s affection and attention by giving him children (Genesis 29:32,34). But her plan never worked. It only drew her deeper into a jealous rivalry with Rachel that she would never win (Genesis 30:1-24).
Leah’s desire for her husband’s love was legitimate, but it began to consume her when it became the primary focus of her life. Is there something good in your life you need too much?
More:
Do you like honey? Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick! Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome (Proverbs 25:16-17).
Next:
Is a desire for something good (coffee, blogs, music, a person) consuming you? What would happen if you were consumed with God instead?
AManofGod on December 29, 2010 at 11:05 am
What an amazing concept and a thought provoking thing to consider! A good thing OUT OF PLACE can become a bad thing! I can see how this could hamper any relationship just as Leah found out when she placed the love of her husband before the love of God.
I’m learning this too….and it is a difficult concept. We serve a jealous God who does not want us to worship anything or anyone before Him. There is nothing wrong with loving our spouses or children or friends but we should never EVER place them in a position of superiority with respect to the Lord.
He should be that which we love first and foremost. If we do that all other love will fall into place….and be appropriate.
AManofGod
daisymarygoldr on December 29, 2010 at 12:24 pm
Great point about our jealous God, AManofGod!
I agree, too much of a good thing is not good. Agur touched on this truth in his prayer, “…I may have too much and disown you and say, ‘Who is the Lord?’…” (Prov 30: 9). In fact, too much or too little of anything ultimately leaves us sad and depressed.
This season, I’m feeling guilty of trying to satisfy my sweet tooth by consuming too much of cookies, cakes and candies. In a culture of consumption, I really need God’s wisdom to say no when enticed with excess and extremes.
Good things like (coffee, blogs, music, a person) can certainly bring instant gratification and comfort but being consumed with God will help us experience long term fulfillment and eternal joy.
True, Leah was consumed by the desire for her husband’s love but when God blessed her with the fourth son- Judah, Leah was all in praise. Her longing for her husband’s love was satisfied as she received too much from the Lord.
A compulsive habit is the symptom of spiritual malnutrition. Only the infiniteness of God can fill the gnawing emptiness of a human soul. Desiring too much of God is a great way to start the New Year.
Thank you Jeff Olson for inspiring us with a brilliant post!