I've been thinking a lot. This is a good thing. Thinking causes me to further develop my sense of self. I am constantly growing older, wiser (hopefully), and more experienced. This growth encourages me to look at the world and my place in it. I know I am always changing, but The Lord is constant. He is a rock-solid reminder of what we should be emulating. Even when we are going through trials, He is ever-present. He will never fail to pick us up when we are down and will never lead us to something which cannot be overcome. He also allows Satan to tempt us.
Jesus was all man and all God. Being 100% human opened Him up to sin and temptation. Satan knew about this and attempted, in Luke 4, to entice Jesus to sin. Luke 4:3 (NIV) reads "The devil said to Him, 'If you are the Son of God, make this stone become bread.'" Turning a stone into bread is not, in itself, a sinful act. Jesus could have done it in an instant. Of course, had He done it He would have destroyed God's plan for eternity. Jesus was commanded/led by the Holy Spirit to fast for 40 days in the wilderness. If He would have taken the easy way out, He would have been taking direct orders from the Devil. Jesus had to stand firm and refuse the offer, even though it would have been all too easy to accept.
Jesus was not, and is not, the only man to be tempted in this way. Let's use my life as an example. As you know, I'm going on The World Race in August. I was confirmed for the trip on December 15. At that time, there was nothing that anyone could say or do that would cause me to think twice about my decision. I was ready to serve the Lord with everything that I had, and August 1 couldn't come soon enough. What happened?
Satan attacks when we least expect it, in the most unlikely fashion. Recently, I have had urges to stay stateside. I'm being bombarded on all sides… For example, What will I do for work when I get back? Wouldn't it be more prudent to stay and get a job? What will my funds look like when I get back? What will my relationships look like? How will my family and friends respond to my absence? Wouldn't it be better for me to just stay in my comfort zone and make sure that I have complete control over the aforementioned situations? These feelings are not, in and of themselves, considered bad in the slightest. The fact that they interfere with God's call for my life are.
Which brings me to Temptation Island (see how it all comes together?) You have no doubt heard the saying "No man is an island unto himself." How true this is! Whenever we feel the most vulnerable to attack (or just plain vulnerable), God is there! He won't lead us into an impossible situation. He is, as He did to Job, merely testing our faith. Having total faith in God and His plans and promises will make any impossibility a cakewalk. Of course we are going to be tested in our day-to-day lives. It will never end. But as long as we realize that the only thing that can last forever is God, then everything will be gravy.
It's funny…I wrote this blog for others to read, and yet helped myself in the process. Obviously not all my fears have been fully relieved, but it's good to get them out there. I ask for prayers. God is leading me on this path, and I can't let worldly things interfere with His divine plan. He will provide before, during, and after the Race. It will all come in His time.
