Hooked on a Feeling: (Click for Audio)
Remember the song? BJ Thomas, late 60’s, and the first song with an Electric Sitar. Loved to hear him sing it. But sure loved the lyrics. Especially these two lines.
I’m hooked on a feeling
I’m high on believing
I woke up this morning with the words “hooked” on something flowing through my mind. Either it had something to do with wanting more sleep than I was getting (restless night), or there had been an unremembered dream floating through my subconscious. Whatever the reason, I thought about those things we get hooked or addicted to. This is a horrible thought because the only thing I’m sure I’m addicted to is chocolate!
Well. That’s not the only thing! Let’s add: Coffee. Dr. Pepper. Iced Tea. Shrimp. Chicken Fried Steak. Field peas. Trucks. Tractor. Peace. Quiet. Solitude. My bible. Good book. Two-sided conversations. Road trips and long quiet drives. Good music that doesn’t overwhelm the senses. And my bride!
Okay. Okay. I realize I’m addicted to a lot of things! Throw in the mix of being hooked on a feeling and believing that “you’re in love with me” … Well, there are Good things to be addicted to, as well as Bad things to NEVER get addicted to!
Hooked on a Feeling: We are all addicted to many things in life, including feelings. Just remember, there are Good things to be addicted to, as well as Bad things to never get addicted to. Share on XSomewhere along the way, I never thought that substances would be an addiction. You know. Alcohol. I see what it does to people who would never dream of looking or acting a certain way in public, yet public drinking exposes you to considerable ridicule, embarrassment, and penalties! Tobacco. This includes dipping, chewing, or any form of smoking. An expensive habit with no upside and a lot of downsides. Including health. Drugs. Just plain stupid.
“Warning, Will Robinson!” There is danger in getting hooked on a substance or even a feeling.
There will always be a “withdrawal” time, which can be a painful experience.
Me? Withdrawal? Sure. Oral surgery in 2017 showed me how addicted I was to certain foods mentioned above!
Eventually, however, we all get hooked on something. You know what I’m talking about. Routine. Shopping. Gym. Travel. Making money, and not just a paycheck! Good Money! Prestige. Notoriety. Recognition. Having the latest and greatest. Center stage. Being in charge. Holding an office. Being looked up to.
Regardless of the hook or addiction, all things eventually end. Money goes away. The body breaks down. We get old! We lose our drive, focus, and attention span. Those things once deemed very important move to the back burner or are taken off the cooking stove entirely! Age brings a different perspective, ability, and finances!
Unless we have something respected by subsequent generations, we all struggle with being left to the wayside. Forgotten. Soylent Green. Good for nothing but the shoulder on which the next generation steps to get ahead, squashing you into the muck and mire.
How do you handle this?
I’m working hard on staying in the game! Keeping things in perspective and priorities properly established. Being true to the values that got me to where I am! Addicted to my God. My bride! My family. My friends. My church. And Love.
Over 1,000 times, the Scripture describes things, people, and God as “forever.” David does it in Psalms over 300 times! But that’s to be expected! He’s a man after God’s own heart! (Acts 13:22) I want to be like David and have the perspective of My God, For Ever! Psalms 145. Sorry if it’s a little lengthy.
A Praise of David.
I will extol You, my God, O King;
And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You,
And I will praise Your name forever and ever.
Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.
One generation shall praise Your works to another, And shall declare Your mighty acts.
I will meditate on the glorious splendor of Your majesty, And on Your wondrous works.
Men shall speak of the might of Your awesome acts, And I will declare Your greatness.
They shall utter the memory of Your great goodness, And shall sing of Your righteousness.
The LORD is gracious and full of compassion, Slow to anger and great in mercy.
The LORD is good to all, And His tender mercies are over all His works.
All Your works shall praise You, O LORD, And Your saints shall bless You.
They shall speak of the glory of Your kingdom, And talk of Your power,
To make known to the sons of men His mighty acts, And the glorious majesty of His kingdom.
Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations.
The LORD upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.
The eyes of all look expectantly to You, And You give them their food in due season.
You open Your hand And satisfy the desire of every living thing.
The LORD is righteous in all His ways, Gracious in all His works.
The LORD is near to all who call upon Him, To all who call upon Him in truth.
He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them.
The LORD preserves all who love Him, But all the wicked He will destroy.
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD, And all flesh shall bless His holy name Forever and ever.
(Psalms 145:1-21 NKJV)
Here’s My Thought
Keep your eyes on the necessary things, and do not let other things get in the way of you being hooked on making your life the best it can be.
Keep your priorities straight. Watch out for the pitfalls, they are many and sometimes unexpected. Many are concerned about their own priorities, but Jesus tells us best.
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (Matthew 6:33 NKJV)