Fry Now...Pay Later

'Sun' and 'damage.' Two words that I don't normally think of in the same sentence. After all, I love being outside on bright sunny days. And doesn't a tan look healthy? Damage from the effects of the sun on my skin is the farthest thing from my mind. But a trip to the dermatologist put some things into perspective for me.

A mole that I've had for years was the subject in question. The dermatologist referred to it as 'atypical.' That didn't sound too good! I was reminded of all the times I had been out in the sun, sans sunscreen - from my teenage years into my twenties. Okay, I have to admit that even as recently as this summer, I've worked out in the yard minus the sunscreen, a time or two.

I think back to my high school days, when I spent hours in the sun before heading off to work. I can still see my Dad shaking his head and hear him saying, "You're doing it to your skin again!" But at seventeen, with not a wrinkle in sight, all I was interested in was a deep, dark tan. I was willing to ignore the posters that warned, "Fry now...pay later!"

Looking back, I would have been wise to heed his words of wisdom. Properly applying sunscreen and limiting my exposure to the sun would have minimized the pigment spots, moles, and fine lines and wrinkles. But instead of listening to his advice, I chose to do things my way - learning by experience.

We really DO learn by one method or the other. Either we listen to wise advise and act on it. Or we choose to ignore counsel and attend the School of Hard Knocks. I'm reminded of the instructions God gave the children of Israel.

He had reviewed the commandments with them and proceeded to give them a list of all the blessings they'd receive IF they obeyed His directions. Then He outlined an ominous list of curses that would plague them if they chose to disobey. Much the same thing we do with our own children. Outlining the good that comes from obedience, and the consequences that result from disobedience.

I'm sure you're familiar with the story of the Israelites. At times they obeyed God whole-heartedly - for awhile. But by and large, they drifted back to their sinful ways or those of the surrounding cultures. Before I simply write them off as a stubborn and rebellious lot, I need to take a look at my own life.

Do I have a teachable spirit? Am I willing to take God at His word and believe Him? Do I believe His Word is the truth? If the answer is 'Yes' to each of these questions, then I need to live like it. I need to give God top priority in my life. I'm to, "...love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might," (Deuteronomy 6:5; KJV). When I obey, His blessings follow. When I put myself first, I follow in the footsteps of the prideful and end up in a mess. "Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall," (Proverbs 16:18).

God created me with free will. I can choose my method of learning. The Bible is filled with wisdom and the right way to handle all kinds of situations. Will I choose to believe the truth of God's Word and live according to it, or will I go my own way, and ignore instruction? Today I choose to listen to God's instruction.

Do you listen to godly counsel or have to learn things the hard way? Accept counsel from the Word of God, "Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you, " (James 4:7-8a).

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for Your instruction manual, the Bible. Forgive me for the times that I'm stubborn and go my own way in spite of being warned. Help me to have a teachable spirit and to be willing to learn from godly counsel. In Jesus' name, Amen. 


*A repost from June 2011.

*I'm hosting over at Living by Grace today. Come join in the discussion!

Way Too Close

I was too close. When I pulled into the driveway and angled the car toward the garage, I had a feeling I’d need to back up, and straighten the car to fit into the space for my vehicle. I looked again, and thought to myself, ‘No, I think I can make it…” As I put the car in gear and inched forward, the scraping sound confirmed my original fears. I WAS too close. I should have gone with my initial instincts…but it was too late now.

I put the car in park and got out to survey the damage. Sure enough, I had hit the trim that frames the garage door opening. The headlight washer on the passenger side had broken off, and a five-inch piece of the garage door trim had splintered as a result of my ingenious behavior. Oh, how I wish I could press the rewind button and be graced with a do-over! Instead, I need to be thankful the damage wasn’t worse, and learn from my mistake.

There’s a life lesson embedded in my unfortunate mishap. Sometimes, I’m convinced I can handle certain things, when in reality – I cannot. I’m reminded of Solomon’s words of wisdom, “Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life,” (Proverbs 4:23; KJV).

When I’m faced with life’s temptations, they beckon me to come closer. I pause and think to myself, “What’s the harm in just taking a closer look?” I forget that my heart is often deceived and my human nature tends to justify its desires (Jeremiah 17:9). As I step closer, I convince myself that I’ll be fine, forgetting that I’m exposing a very vulnerable part of myself - my heart.

The enemy of my heart knows what he’s doing. He tempts me to get close enough for him to strike. He wants me to fall into his trap. It’s my job to stay alert and watchful. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour,” (1 Peter 5:8). He preys on my weaknesses, seeking to make me ineffective for Christ.

Being aware of what tempts me is important. Preparing myself to stay at a safe distance when temptation arrives is even more crucial. I don’t remember the first time I heard the expression, “It’s better to be safe, than sorry,” but applying this principle to my life goes a long way toward protecting my vulnerable heart from temptation.

Yes, my close encounter with the garage door could have been avoided. Did I learn something? You bet! The next time temptation flags me down, I’ll think twice before taking a closer look. With the Lord’s help, I can stay far away from things that appear harmless, but in reality are meant to destroy.

Can you identify weaknesses in your life? Those areas where you’re easily tempted? What step will you take today to remain far away from temptation?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, Thank You for continuing to teach me valuable life lessons. Help me be alert and watchful when it comes to the devil’s schemes. I know he seeks to destroy me, but You give me the tools to stand. Help me apply Your Word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Life's Potholes

The pothole was massive. It was too late to avoid it. As the front, passenger-side tire hit the hole, all I could do was groan, knowing that the impact had surely caused some damage. We continued on to our destination, hoping that everything was fine. Over the next few days, we tried to convince ourselves that the slight vibrations we felt were coming from the road. With a schedule that didn't allow us to take our vehicle into the shop, we continued to drive it the following week.

Being the larger of our two cars, we had no choice but to pack it full of our daughter's college gear and head off to our destination, six hours away. A message on the dash warned us to check the tire pressure. Each time we drove the car, that same message appeared on the dash, convincing us that maybe the vibrations we felt were more than just the road.

When we arrived back home, a trip to the car dealership was on the top of the To Do list. What the mechanic discovered was shocking. The impact from the pothole had significantly bent the wheel rim of the tire, causing the vibrations we had been experiencing. Once repaired, the smooth ride was a pleasant reminder of how our car was supposed to function.

The road of life has its own share of potholes. The pothole of loss. The pothole of anger. The pothole of hopelessness. The pothole of temptation. Some of them can be avoided, simply by listening to the wise advice of friends who have been there. Some of them sneak up on you, luring you into their depths. Even after you've hit one of these potholes, the damage can be hard to assess. We try to convince ourselves we're ok, but the vibrations follow soon after.

The pothole of pride is deceptive. I've found myself resisting help after hitting this pothole -too sensitive to admit that my walk has gotten wobbly. I avoid those who reach out a helping hand and instead, withdraw - isolating myself from all that could restore me. Time rolls on and I convince myself that the vibrations I'm experiencing are merely part of life. Warning signs glimpsed during my daily devotions fail to catch my attention, after all, I am ok, aren't I?

The Master Mechanic is ever so patient. Constantly wooing me and waiting for me to make an appointment with Him. At long last His powerful words soak into my soul. He is my Creator. He wants to restore me. "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust" (Psalms 103:14; KJV). He alone can repair me, allowing me to function in a way that testifies to His goodness.

I humble myself. He's there to hear my cry. I allow His skillful hand to fix my bent perspective. He gently reminds me, "Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby" (Hebrews 12:11). He places me back on life's road. I'm reminded of how pleasant it is to function properly, and I'm more aware of the path the lies ahead.

Have you hit a pothole recently? Don't hesitate to make an appointment with the Master Mechanic. He's waiting to repair any damage you've experienced, and get you back on the road functioning better than ever!

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for this road of life. Thank You for warning me about the potholes that I'm sure to face. When I hit a pothole, help me to run to You to repair the damage. Thank you for Your love and restoration. In Jesus' name, Amen.