Wednesday, August 26, 2015

Standing strong?

"If you think you are standing strong, be careful not to fall. The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." 1 Corinthians 10:12, 13

Molly Huddle reacts after her big mistake during the women’s 10,000m final at the World Athletics Championships.

And it happened yet again... Molly Huddle was on the final stretch of the 10,000 meters on Monday with the finish line in view. With just a few steps to go, she threw up her hands in celebration... unfortunately too soon. While she was busy celebrating the anticipated win of the bronze medal, her teammate Emily Infeld passed her. In a split second, she lost the prize. After the race, a devastated Huddle told Universal Sports that she "let up too much in the final half-step. Emily was right there the whole time with just more momentum. She got that bronze. It's going to take a long time to get over."

The list of athletes that have done this is probably about as long as the list of Christians who, in the final stretch, let down their guard and lost the race. Think Jimmy Swaggart, Jim Baker and Ted Haggard. These were all men who followed Christ, were "standing strong", and yet were led astray. The bible warns us that the temptations in our "life are no different from what others experience." So, if you think you're standing strong and that temptation would surely not overcome you, think again...be careful not to fall. 

Might this be a lesson to all of us. Never celebrate before the finish line and never ever take your eyes off God, not even for a second. And if temptation does come, and it will, remember this promise, "when you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure." Praise God for his faithfulness. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for your Word to show us the path we should take and to warn us of the many temptations that can lead us astray. Just as we condition our bodies, may we daily condition our hearts and minds to be sensitive to your Spirit allowing it to  guide our every step. May we keep our eyes focused on You until we cross that eternal finish line and can celebrate with those that have gone before us. It's in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

RUN - Lecrae
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJGDKM6XsfQ



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