This Cake Will Make Me Happy... and Other Lies We Tell Ourselves

Most historians consider the antidote of George Washington chopping down the cherry tree a historical fiction used to prop up the image of our first president as a boy of integrity. In other words, somewhere along the line someone thought it would be a good idea to tell a lie to demonstrate the importance of not lying...which is ironic. The story itself circulated as the truth for so long that it is actually difficult to prove that it was a fabrication. When it comes to truth claims, several hundred years tends to muddy the waters.
But, unfortunately, we don't need to several hundred years to begin lying to ourselves. In fact, most of us have lies that we tell ourselves on a regular basis. Things like:
"I would be happier if I were prettier/richer/smarter."
"This skill/job/temporal relationship makes me valuable."
"I deserve X, Y, or Z in exchange for obeying God."
We generally have believed these things (or others like them) so long, they are completely integrated to our thinking and priorities. It often takes something extreme for us to be able to see our lies for what they are.
Lord, please show me "my lies" and help me uproot them today. Amen.

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