We all have ruts, thought patterns, habits, attitudes, even expectations that we can’t seem to shake. Often it is “ex post facto”, after the fact, that we see how those have tied us down, “easily entangled”. It’s easy to drift through our days without discerning our direction, true motives, and expectations for those around us and the myriad of circumstances we encounter each day.
I was convicted of this, yet again, today as I sat in a horrible traffic jam. Isn't it amazing how our true fuses are shown when getting form A to B is hindered by an unforeseen obstacle? Irritation escalates in irrational proportions and astonishing intervals when we’re at the wheel. As I sat there, I was convicted that it was probably caused by an accident, and I should be thankful that I only have to deal with the traffic, not the tragedy an accident that blocked 3 lanes of I-5 was in someone’s life. Even now, I’m thankful for the reminder of how blessed I am, how fragile life is.
In the same way, Hebrews 4 touched on the subject of temptation and conviction. You see, we have another option than anger and stewing—submission. Realizing we don’t even make our own hearts beat. Christ is our perfect high priest—who also identifies with my temptations that so tantalize and distract my flesh. He’s not aloof; He’s understanding. He lived the way I want to live—and doesn’t condemn, but cleanses, calls me up through conviction and encouragement, not debilitating disappointment.
Back to the driving analogy, what a wonderful metaphor for our spiritual walk. When we try to take control over things we can’t, like traffic, or temptation being around us (in some instances), we quickly get fed up, play the victim, rationalize our rage by the comparison “anyone would be mad”. The issue isn’t temptation, its our response—our hearts. You see, it’s not about avoiding every possible temptation, that would be impossible, nor can we claim to be helpless, rather, we must accept conviction, act in faith, work out what Christ has claimed for us. He wants us to use our weaknesses as opportunities to teach us, cleanse us, cultivate His character in us. I think its an odd balance of accepting you’ll fail daily, hourly, while not letting that keep you from fighting the flesh, getting out of the rut. I am thankful for temptation and traffic because they are necessary tethers to relying on Christ.
My twitter feed mentioned this yesterday - "When a man is getting better he understands more and more clearly the evil that is still left in him." - C.S. Lewis
ReplyDeleteHow true is it? When we find ourselves in situations like getting mad in a traffic jam, we suddenly jerk awake to a realization about ourselves. Our Father God works in ways that grab us, even when we don't realize He's involved, like when He's sitting next to us in four lanes of bumper to bumper traffic crawling forward at the pace of a garden worm.