CHILDREN OF A GARDEN PARTY FROM HELL

       Went to a garden party to reminisce with my old friends
       A chance to share old memories and play our songs again
      When I got to the garden party, they all knew my name
      No one recognized me, I didn't look the same

           But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well.
You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself

                   

                                                                     - Rick Nelson

            If you are my age or older, you probably remember this catchy little tune from Ricky Nelson circa 1972.  Garden Party's chorus easily gets stuck in your head: But it's all right now, I learned my lesson well. You see, ya can't please everyone, so ya got to please yourself   This was a pretty common sentiment in 1972, essentially, look out for number one. Who is number one?  Why ME of course!

             What a self destructive societal plague this sentiment is!  Imagine a world where a majority of people are serving their own best interests and everyone else be damned?  Well, you don't have to imagine it, look no further than Washington DC and you can see Ricky Nelson's words in action.

            This is not just a Washington DC problem.  If you are honest, fear of consequences govern more of your better behaviors than altruism.  No, I do not believe everyone is a miscreant, but then again, what would a day free of consequences mean for you?  

                      What would your life look like if you were suddenly Bill Murray in Groundhog Day, if you knew tomorrow would reset everything and nothing you did today would be remembered, except by you?  If your mind is running wild with possibilities you may be a miscreant at heart! 

                       Who are we really, when no one is looking? Do we all pretend to be better than we are for fear of exposure? Can your friends and family see the real you?

                    The problem is, we are all tainted with selfishness because of a Garden Party from hell almost 6000 years ago.  In the Garden of Eden, Adam traded God's protection and provision for a chance to please himself.  This resulted in Adam realizing he had made a grave error. Adam's attempt to hide from from God was futile.  Adam's children have been trying to hide from God ever since.  

                 Adam's attempt to please himself ended in abject disaster.  Not much has changed in 6000 years.  The Bible has a good deal to say on this topic:   Jeremiah 17:9  The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?      
 Proverbs 14:12  There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.   Our attempts to take care of number one will always leave us unsatisfied, frustrated and disillusioned.

             The remedy is putting God first: Proverbs 3:6-7  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.  Following God's method will lead to fulfillment, peace, joy and satisfaction.  

     No one spent more resources and effort in pleasing self than King Solomon.  In his winter years, he looked over his life and realized the futility of all he pursued. Solomon came to this conclusion: Ecclesiastes 12:13-14  The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil. 

      It's true, you can't please everyone, so you should try to please the Lord. You have an audience of one and what He thinks is all that should matter.

Now, go live as Christ... and give the devil hell!!