The Second Gaze - Temptation

We have these crazy strong magnetic key chains that allow us to not have to take all our keys with us all the time. So, I can take my car key without my house or office keys. The magnets also work for hanging the keys too. But the downside is that, when disconnected, they often stick to other surfaces. More than a few times my keys got pulled out of my hands and stuck themselves to the car door frame, for example. So, as great as they are, I need to be aware of them when using lest they stick to something I don't want them to.

That is how temptation feels to me in my life. There are certain things that are definite temptations in my life and I know that the closer I skirt to those things, the more likely it is that I will get stuck and the more likely I get pulled away from my intentions around faith or health or time, just to name a few things.

Take yesterday morning for example. After my walk with Scout, I had to drop a package off for UPS. I was feeling a bit hungry and my sweet-craving sense was going off a bit. The most direct route to the UPS Store would have me go right by a local bakery with really good donuts. Alternatively I could take an ever-so-slightly longer route and avoid the temptation. I did the latter and no stop for donuts. But it is like the magnet - the closer I get to the temptation, the more likely I will get stuck.

Now, eating a donut isn’t sin, but the same sense applies to other, and more significant, tmptations. The closer we get, the more likely we will get pulled in. So, whether it is taking a different route, reaching out to someone, being aware of what might start a temptation, we can move past these and stay more on the path Jesus has shown us. Thanks be to God!

No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 10:13