Fire Exits
Posted on March 8, 2016 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters
“If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” ~1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (NLT)
I see one of the most DUMBEST acts of carelessness ever performed every day at the place where I work. Every time I see it happen I just wanna reach out and…well maybe I ought not go much further than that but it does really butter my biscuits. And since my response to this display of stupidity is a key factor in the getting along with those that claim their citizenship in Secularland I find myself quietly (well…not really all that quietly) undoing what was just done. My phrase of choice has been “Please allow me to move your cart of stuff away from the FIRE EXIT!!!” (emphasis on the sarcasm). Then I make sure I at least report the act to someone who looks like they might agree with me…emphasis on the “might agree.”
The last time this happened (which is probably right now as you read this) it made me think of what we read in 1 Corinthians 10:13…” He will show you a way out so that you can endure.” Now as much as we agree that this is how our God works we can, at times, we tend to spend too much effort looking at the obstacles. Which is what I do when I see the fire exits at work blocked. My response to them being there at all isn’t good because even if I say nothing out loud (for all to hear), my voice within me is just as loud. And since it is staying within me, I tend to add a few unkind adjectives to my conversation. What a wretched man I am.
I think one of the things that we/I have to get a grip on is that we have been a people who have been tempted to do stupid things throughout the ages. After Genesis 3 it all goes downhill and that means that we, as fallen creatures, are always temptable. We’ve yielded to temptation by the law of habit, we have gained a tendency to do acts of stupidity, and this tendency is ever on the increase. Access to stupid things is easier now than when I was younger and even then it was thought that access was easier to my generation. See how this rolls?
Now don’t fret it will all get better when we get to heaven and heaven may have no incentives for wrong doings but it ain’t like that down here!! You may have the “Christian privilege” that Christ purchase for you but even the Hebrews found favor with YHVH while they were in the wilderness…the family of Korah got swallowed anyway, didn’t they? Privilege is not security.
So what of the things that get in the way of getting outta temptation’s grip? Well God says they are resistible…” I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” (Phil 4:13) And yes we can fall back on this verse but not taking for granted what comes before this verse…” Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.” (Phil 4:11-12) I think the key to finding the way of escape is found in the “to be content” part of the passage.
As I go through my everyday existence I have to come to terms that things WILL get in the way of an easy exit BUT when it comes to those things of danger to my spiritual wellbeing I have to ask God to do His work. Lately I’ve been asking to let “Your word be a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105) a lot these days. And because of this I’ve seen my way clear to do those things for God that I’ve been assigned, I’ve been guided to those who are there to help me get them done and to the moment to be able to say “Look at what my God can do” and it is in this I find contentment. But when my word is my lamp to guide my path it seems to end up with some doofus blocking my exit with his stupid work cart. GRRRR…what a wretched man I can be but thanks be to God through Jesus Christ I can find a way of escape. Hope you can as well. Amen!?
Written by Chris Hughes: Graduate of The Colony of Mercy 11-2003 and serves on the Deacon Board at Trinity Alliance Church in Cologne NJ.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 68; Proverbs 8
Click Here to Download our 2016 Daily Bible Reading Plan
Daily Quote: “It’s been said many times that Satan doesn’t worry about throwing roadblocks in front of us if we aren’t posing a threat to him. But if we are a threat to him—if we are doing things for God—then look out! Want some practical advice? Stay rooted to people who are of similar mind and have a similar focus on God and Christ.” ~Tony Dungy/Nathan Whitaker
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
For thus says the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel:
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
In quietness and confidence shall be your strength.”
But you would not, ~ Isaiah 30:15 (NKJV)
Connect with us on social media:
www.facebook.com/americaskeswick
Want to get away & have dedicated time to read & learn God’s Word?
Consider a retreat at America’s Keswick retreat center.
