Choosing to Cheat

If you are like me, the first time I saw the title of this book, I did a double-take.  As a youth pastor, I am constantly talking to our students about NOT cheating on tests, homework, etc.  We know we are not to cheat on our spouses, cheat to get ahead at work, etc.  So, when another youth ministry friend recommended this for me to read, I reluctantly agreed.  I must say that I was pleasantly surprised (and relieved) at it's actual content.

The basic premise of the book is that, especially in ministry, we choose to "cheat" our families and ourselves out of quality time...all in the name of "ministry."  Sure, our families know that getting phone calls at 3:00 AM, going to four different graduation ceremonies, and getting home late are generally pretty normal for what we do.  Because we know this fact, I think we often have the tendency to excuse missing time with our families.  After all, I am doing this for the Lord, you know.  Seriously...that's about like Nacho Libre labeling a bag of chips "the Lord's chips." 

We are called by our God to love our families, to lead our families...not leave our families in the name of good things.  I know that my life can easily become overrun with "good" things, and when that happens, it is usually the GREAT things that get neglected.

The challenge of "Choosing to Cheat" was a valid one.  Not the best book I've ever read, nor did I agree with everything in it.  However, it does uphold what I see to be a Biblical standard for men...ministers, or not.  Choose your wife, choose your kids first.  Choose the GREAT over the good.  No, use this as an excuse to neglect your job.  That isn't Biblical, either.  Just remember to keep your priorities in line....God first, Family second, everything else after that....

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