Hello.
This week I have been challenged with the idea that Satan is so real. You know that race we've been running, well, let's picture this:
You’re running, right? Or walking - for some of us who aren't as in shape as we used to be. You reach this huge hill with lots of tree roots and pot holes. It’s cold, windy, and has been pouring for a really long time.
You conquer the hill and begin to look around. You see that you have this awesome path ahead of you. The sun is shining, not a cloud in the sky. No hills. No stumps. Green grass and some pretty little flowers on the side. You believe you might be clear to the finish line. Sounds awesome doesn't it? So you’re cruising right along, or in our case huffing and puffing because we're running here, but anyway, along comes this other racer. He comes up behind you and starts talking to you. He talks about the race. He seems encouraging and in fact, tells you about another way to go that he promises will never have bad weather or hills or roots. As you’re talking about this you begin seriously contemplating about going this other route because well, the path you just conquered was really rough and this guy promises that there is not even a chance of bad weather or a difficult path.
After thinking it through you decide to stick with the route you’re on instead of following the other offered option. I mean you've made it this far, why not stick to the directions and the map given… Besides, right now the path is pretty good.
Just as you decline the offer you fall flat on your face. You look around. No one is there. Your hands are all scraped up. Your face is bleeding. You sprained your ankle so badly that you can't even walk. You lie there for a while, unable to budge. Then you feel the gentle touch of a hand. A quiet, tender, yet strong and courageous voice says, "Hey, I see the race is a little hard right now, I’m sorry for that, I’ve been watching your whole race and I’m really proud of how far you've made it. I know right now is difficult for you so here, get on my back. I’ll carry you." So he picks you up, dusts you off, and lifts you up into his arms as he begins to carry you.
There are so many times in my life where I’ve been running my race with Christ and Satan has come up and flat out deceived me. There are times he pretends to be on God's side only to make me fall. There are times he has made things seem so promising, yet they are so full of lies.
However, the thing is, even if I say no to his ways and yes to God, I can still end up flat on my face. Satan is out to destroy and devour. He yells words of discouragement; sometimes he will kick or punch me. I may face trial upon trial. Satan will do anything to wear me down, to wipe me out completely. He does the same to you, too.
Praise God that He watches our race and that He sent his son, our true friend, in the race who through him we are promised an inheritance, a finishing of the race, "that can never spoil, perish or fade" 1 Peter 1:4. He meets us where we are and is a friend who at times will run right beside us, at times will walk with us, and at times will crawl on His hands and knees with us, even lie there with us. And at times He will pick us up and carry us.
Challenge of the day.
Let's try to be more conscious of where and how Satan is trying to tempt us. Really, I think it's possible. Let's look for ways to stop Satan from even showing us a "what could be" that's full of lies and deceit. Most importantly let’s praise God for picking us up every day, dusting us off, and getting us back on our way, time and time again.
Cheering you all on as you continue to run.
May you come to know in your heart that even in falling, you remain in the race.
Kaylee
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