You think you'll get three wishes.

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I feel strangely new at blogging, but I do enjoy writing so I thought I'd start again with a little poem I read today by Shel Silverstein. 

The Genie in the Flask

I opened up that magic flask,
And zoof, up popped a genie.
I thought he'd be my slave, but no--
This genie is a meanie.
Instead of filling every wish
And doing all my bidding,
He says that I must be his slave,
And oh, he isn't kidding.
I sweat and cough with no days off
From Tuesdays until Mondays. 
I cook his beans and scrub his back
And wash his yucky undies
And sweep and paint--this surely ain't
The magic I was hopin'. 
I guess in life it all depends 
Which magic flask you open.


I read that little poem and it really got to me. Are we going to choose the flask we think will give us what we want out of life only to find out our self focused thinking has led us to more servitude than if we had focused elsewhere?  

Every choice has a consequence whether or not we want to face that consequence.  Sometimes our choices lead to servitude of some sort or freedom in some way. How do we make sure our choices will not bring us into known or unknown bondage? We seek out the freedom the gospel of Jesus Christ brings to us. If we "[believe] on [Christ]...[and] continue in [his] word, then are [we his] disciples indeed;
"And [we] shall know the truth, and the truth shall make [us] free."

John 8:31-32

Are we choosing the flask containing the path to truth and freedom? In other words, are we choosing the flask containing the gospel of Jesus Christ?

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