Over the years, I’ve had meaningful conversations with several people who have shared a similar story. In one way or another, they’ve told me:
“I’m the third generation in my family to have experienced abuse, struggled with drug addiction, and developed a criminal record. But it stops with me. I’m determined to give my children and grandchildren a better life.”
These individuals have lived through incredibly difficult circumstances, yet as devoted followers of Jesus, they are making progress that would have been unimaginable in previous generations of their families. Often, when crises arise within their families, they are now the ones others turn to for guidance.
Like my friends, Asa inherited generations of idolatry and rebellion that began with Solomon, but he was determined for the generations of sin to end with his reign.
Asa did what was right in the sight of the Lord, as his father David had done.
He put away the illicit priests out of the land and removed all the idols that his ancestors had made.
He also removed his mother Maacah from being queen mother, because she had made an abominable image for Asherah; Asa cut down her image and burned it at the Wadi Kidron (1 Kings 15:11-13).
One of my friends who was determined for generations of sins in his family to stop made it a habit to ask God, “Is there anything in my life that is keeping me away from knowing you?”
He was always ready to adjust his attitudes and actions to align with God’s revealed will.
Asa was determined to rid the nation he served of their past idolatry. That included putting pagan priests and Maacah out of business. He went so far as to cut down a “sacred” idol and burn it to ashes.
Self-Examination
I am blessed to have inherited many great things from my parents. Unlike many of my friends, I didn’t grow up surrounded by drug addiction, abuse, or crime.
At the same time, I inherited certain attitudes and behaviors from my family that I need to unlearn.
A few years ago, I realized I possessed what I call “Spradling pride.” From an early age, I would hear this at the dinner table: “It doesn’t matter if you are a ditch-digger; you must be the best ditch-digger there is.”
My parents grew up during the Great Depression and were afraid that my brother and I wouldn’t survive without a strong work ethic. Their love for us—and their fear of our failure—resulted in an ingrained pride that I still wrestle with daily.
There are other attitudes and actions that need to be removed from my life. Just ask my wife, Toni, and she could provide you a list.
We all may benefit from a time of self-reflection and examination. Like my friend, we can ask God, “What is it that you want me to surrender to you today?”
YouTube Discussion
Rudy Ross, Bruce Kirby, and I discuss 1 Kings on YouTube today. Today’s video doesn’t correspond to the article, because I uploaded two videos in the wrong order. Tomorrow’s video should be better.
Real Voices 