There's Always A Way Out

1 Corinthians 10:1-13

I write this post with a 100 degree fever, clogged nasal passages, headache, and all the other things that come with a cold standing on the precipice of a flu. Why? Because I made myself a promise that I would do these posts through Lent, no matter what. This is my Lenten sacrifice.

I admit, I would much rather be laying on the couch, rolled up under a blanket in a medicated-induced sleep. However, I tell myself I have 15 minutes I can give towards my devotions, then do what needs to be done to push through. It's what I do when I have a strong commitment to others.

I'm glad I did. Today's passage spoke directly to me and what I was struggling with in deciding if I would open the computer or not. You see, I'm one of those people that find it easy to commit things to myself and find it just as easy to say if I don't do it this one time it'll be okay. That "one time" leads to another and another and before I know it my commitment is more of a convenience.

I'm especially that way with eating properly, exercising, and other things I know will benefit me. I will begin an exercise program, let's say walking, and about a week into it I'll feel tired or lazy, make excuses not to walk, and never walk again. I'll tell myself I need to eat less red meat, until I get hungry for a good steak or a good hamburger, then tell myself if I just eat it this once it'll be okay, only to eat steak and hamburger every other day.

The test of doing the right thing for the right reasons doesn't come from God, it comes from within. The ability to pass the test is what comes from God, through Christ. If we remember that Jesus had the ability to walk away from the cross experience at any time and chose not to because he understood that was his path in life, then we can remember to do the things we need to in order to push through our own stumbling blocks along the journey.

Christ walks alongside us as we go through our lives and Jesus fully understands what we're going through because he's been through it as well. I find that a very comforting thought, even as I close my computer and get back to the couch and blanket.