When I took a business trip to Michigan at the beginning of
the year, I found myself faced with a choice that appeared ordinary at first.
But, of course, God used the ordinary to open my eyes.
It was a balmy 38 degrees on camp, about 40 degrees warmer
than it had been all week, and I ventured out not entirely sure where I was
going. Needing peace during my walk, I decided to follow the path that didn’t
contain any noise, hoping to steer clear of people.
Filling this time with prayer, I felt a sense of excitement
in wondering what God would reveal to me as I listened for His voice.
The temptation
After about 20 minutes of walking, there stood an amazing
tree to my right that caused me to stop. This tree screamed “Climb me!” Its
branches stuck out in just the right places for feet to stand on and hands to
grasp.
Naturally, my first thought when spying this tree was, “I
need to climb it.” So, I left my path and walked to the base of it, staring
straight up through the bare branches to the top. It was beautiful.
Before I started climbing, I went through a few scenarios in
my mind.
Scenario one
included someone important on camp driving past and catching a glimpse of me climbing this
tree by myself. After yelling at me to come down, they would see my blue name
badge, which signifies I’m full-time staff, and I would feel extremely stupid
for doing something so irresponsible.
Scenario two
included me half-way up the tree. With the snow forming cold blankets on pretty
much every limb, there was a solid chance I could slip and fall during this
climb. Then, unable to make the walk back, I would have to call for help and
feel humiliation as I explained how I hurt myself doing something so
irresponsible.
Both scenarios had my responsibility on the line. Naturally,
I started to climb.
I hadn’t even reached the second branch when I asked myself
what the heck I was doing. Sure, the thought of climbing higher and reaching
for branch after branch was slightly intoxicating, but my responsible side
began to take over, and I stepped back on the ground.
As silly as it seems, part of me was frustrated with myself.
If someone had been with me, I definitely would have continued climbing. But
thinking of what could have happened by myself, when nobody knew where I was,
that caused me to pause.
The frustration grew from the fact that I didn’t just throw
responsibility out the window for five minutes. Then there was the frustration
of the temptation. It really wasn’t that big of a deal when I thought about it.
But the consequences could’ve been a big deal.
While this wasn’t a sinful temptation, more of an
irresponsible one, I can still imagine this is how Satan works in my heart. The
temptation he dangles in front of me appears minute, silly even. Those who
don’t hold to the same set of values would probably make fun of me for not
giving into the temptation.
What do you have to prove?
And so it’s easier to give way to the “small” temptations to
show I don’t always color inside the lines. I’m not a “stiff” Christian.
How easily I slip,
though, on the branches of my temptations. What once appeared innocent and only
potentially dangerous has left me wounded and stranded.
The question I have to ask myself is not, “What could it
harm to just give in for once?” I should
ask myself, “Why and to whom am I trying to prove myself?”
When temptations come your way, set aside the opinions of
others, the whispers of the devil and your own voice trying to talk yourself
into it. Focus only on the truth of
Christ.
When your focus remains on Christ, you will begin to see
beyond the amazing tree waiting for a climber. You will see the icy branches
and the empty road with nobody around for miles.
In the end, I know I don’t have to prove myself to others. I
don’t even have to prove myself to me. What I have to do is stay on the path,
no matter how enticing the tree looks.
