Generic for a Weak Supply

“Is the generic okay?”

The pharmacist’s voice jolts me out of a waking sleep.

“Um, sure. I guess,” I tell her not knowing enough to voice an opinion. Usually, price is the bottom line in choosing generic versus brand name prescriptions. Generic is much cheaper. But is it as effective?

My close friend’s son has epilepsy. In his case, generic is not the same. That I do know. I know that the FDA allows up to a 20% variation in the active ingredient of generic drugs. For those living with epilepsy, it’s not a variance they can live with. It may be the difference in keeping seizures under control or allowing the seizures to control them.

When I’m buying sour cream, orange juice, or even margarine, I’m fine with the “off-brand.” It’s usually much cheaper. But there are other items for which I’m not willing to accept the substitute. Don’t mess with my Diet Coke, Nilla Wafers, or Doritos.

In life, there is always a substitution for the real thing – including God. Some trade God for tarot cards and crystals, others for money and fame. But some of us substitute our time with the Heavenly Father for church and religion. This perhaps is the most dangerous of all substitutions.

Unfortunately, it’s easy to fall into this exchange. We are too busy going to church, delivering items to the food pantry, singing in the choir, and mailing cards to the shut-ins to actually stop and spend time with Almighty God. On the outside we look like we’ve got it together, but in actuality, we are struggling. Do you know why? Because we accepted a substitute for our personal relationship with Christ, and it left us weak.

The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Isaiah 29:13 NIV

I sat in a parking lot one day when I saw the sign above; God spoke to my heart. He impressed on me “Generics for a Weak Supply” and questioned whether or not I was filling myself with the real thing. I thought about how tired I felt and knew the answer. Would you be willing to live your life with 20% less God?

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 NIV

How about you? Have you been trying to get by with a substitution for your time with Christ? Don’t settle for anything less. Remember accepting generic leaves you with a weak supply.

Visit Carol at sheep to the right!