Recently in Bible study, we talked about Jesus being tempted in the desert. Naturally, this lead to the question how are we tempted today? Are we tempted by promises of fame? glory? power? riches? Or, are only the “important” people subject to such temptations: movie stars, politicians, top athletes?
What about the rest of us, the “little” people? Most of us probably aren’t tempted by such big troubles. But does that mean that because we aren’t popular figures, we aren’t tempted? So, I tried to spend the week identifying my “temptations” so that I could try to avoid them. Instead, I think I spent the week trying to avoid identifying my temptations. Why? Because then I might have to admit that they exist and, if they exist, I may have failed to completely avoid them. And if I failed to avoid the temptation, there may have been a time or two when I yielded and THAT would make me, imperfect! That would also mean that in the eyes of my Maker, I sinned.
Having had this little revelation late in the week, I realized that I needed to come clean. But first, I needed to define for myself “temptation”. I’ve decided that to me, temptation = an invitation to sin. It’s that simple. No deep theology here. Just as there are big sins and little sins, outrageous lies and “white” lies, there are big temptations and little temptations.
So, my first flight lesson in 2010 is: Get rid of excess baggage, i.e. identify and avoid the little temptations that can weigh me down.
What lessons on flying can you share to help us soar through 2010?
