Breaking Bad… all over again
Breaking Bad was the hugely popular, or as Donald Trump likes to say, BIG-LY hit TV show that ran from 2008-2013, and lives on in reruns.
<—- The original BREAKING BAD
Breaking Bad was the show where the unassuming high school chemistry teacher and family man, Walter White, ‘devolved’ over five seasons into someone who is truly bad. His life becomes a slippery slope of compromises, and his white lies turned into massive cover-ups until by series finale he is a ruthless big time meth producer, and responsible for countless murders.
In the end, Walter White dies, his family is destroyed, and the wake of his truly bad choices on those around him was far-reaching for both the guilty and the innocent. And (for those who did live) they all DID NOT live happily ever after.
The interesting yet agonizing tension for much of the series was that Walter White's transformation into a villain was done in secret. But as time moved on, his secret life of drugs and other crimes leaked out until these dark lies and criminal acts eventually were exposed, leading to his demise.
I have to admit I followed this series and found spiritual lessons for life beyond the obvious don't cook Meth, and/or murder people.
You see, Breaking Bad is the story of a man. Here are just a few Breaking Bad Bible moments.
Adam & Eve disobeyed God and lied about it. Of course, God was not fooled.
Moses lost his temper and grip on the two stone tablets.. BREAKING BAD The 10 Commandments,
Samson was God's chosen Superman Judge, but with an ego as big as his muscles, he lost sight figuratively of the source of his great strength, and lost sight literally as his head was shaved and his eyes gouged out.
God chose King Saul as the first King of Israel, but most of his royal reign was spent on the slippery slopes of ego and compromise, reducing his life to a sullen, brooding existence. Saul attempted to kill David, and sought the help of a sorcerer shortly before, in breaking bad form, he died on the battlefield.
King David had an affair with Uriah's wife, and then arranged for Uriah to be killed on the battlefield in an attempt to cover up his lies.
King Solomon was the wise king of Israel until he started collecting wives (700 of them) like other people collect stamps
Judas betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, and in this one fell swoop went down in INFAMY.
Then let's fast-forward to Breaking Bad, today. Maybe…
A problem with drinking while hiding bottles.
An attraction to someone other than your spouse.
Financial choices (such as credit cards and purchases) have dug a hole that cannot be climbed out of with any ladder we purchase (on credit) at Home Depot.
TV and/or the internet cluttering our minds with compromises that are just a click away. 24/7 stimulation turning our brains to mush.
But no matter our Breaking Bad issue, here are a couple of great scriptures of comfort and perspective.
1 Cor 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Phil 4:8 Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
AND if/when we fall, know the Grace of our God is perfect. No matter how great or small your prodigal moment.
May God bless each of you on your journey.
Jeff (Bad Back in the Back Pew) Larson
