So here's the deal... I love to run. I'm not really fast, and I usually don't run more than 3 or 4 miles, but I love it. Recently my favorite stretch of serenity has been interrupted by construction, which has unfortunately ruined a peaceful view of the trees that line Borgen Blvd. Boo. Anyhow, one of the reasons I love running so much is that it's a place I can quiet my mind enough to get some time to focus. Sometimes it's my quiet time with God, sometimes He just encourages or challenges me. Usually i'm looking for something: an answer, some bit of wisdom, sometimes a "sign from God" anybody with me?
There's a lot I'd like to say right here, but I'll try very hard to keep it short and to the point. On my way back to my car I saw this street sign. It's usually not in my way and honestly I might have ignored it except for the fact it was askew. It simply says,
"BE PREPARED TO STOP"
Normally, as a rule, I don't take my phone with me on a run but God had this little picture for me today. It was a sign from God for you and me. There are going to be times in your life where you are tempted to think, do or say things that are wrong and eventually end up hurting you and/or other people. There's a whole list of things that could look like, but I'm going to trust that you can come up with your own. Get creative. Sometimes you might fool yourself into thinking, "I'll never change so I'll just give in." or "Just this once I'll treat myself" or "No one is getting hurt." Sometimes you might just flat out give up and give in to temptations great or small. Making enough decisions like that can eventually turn into, "I don't care anymore, I want what I want." That's what temptation does. It lures us in, promising unending pleasures and making fools of it's victims in the end. So what can we do about it?
Read the sign: BE PREPARED TO STOP. Prepare yourself to choose NOT to give in to temptation. Read your bible, get real with a friend or ten to hold you accountable, get honest with yourself and with God about what your doing or thinking of doing ask for forgiveness and STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT! If you screw up and fall in again, GET BACK UP and start over. Don't ever give up preparing to stop! It will always be worth it in the end. Maybe the sign should say STAY PREPARED TO STOP?
This isn't a standing in judgement of others people, this was a get real with my own junk observation that I just wanted to share with someone who might be inspired by it's simple message. Place something new in that spot of temptation. For me right now that looks like treating myself to a run instead of food. Tomorrow who knows, but I won't worry about it till I get there. Goodnight all.
