Memories can pop up at any moment from nowhere land into your peaceful present leaving you questioning, “Now where did that come from?” Well, that’s what happened to me the other day! My mind was actually still for a change, when in floats an image of a time when my husband and I were enjoying one of our evening rides on our horses and saw something very peculiar and definitely out of place.
Now I have to preface this story and let you know that my horse, Chiquita, was young and still learning much about life. If there were ever a horse and owner alike, it was the two of us. We could be walking along just fine, then suddenly find ourselves on the ground! My husband always laughed at us then shook his head as he helped us up. But this evening we were actually upright and moving well when we came to the back section of the pasture. Chiquita stopped abruptly and I felt her body tighten. I recognized this signal and knew to prepare for her to bolt, so I tightened my grip on the reins and secured my legs in the saddle. My husband’s horse, Beau, on the other hand, was just as peaceful as ever at the sight before us.
For right in front of us, was an Emu on one side of the fence and the cows on the other side. Where this large, long necked, feathery creature came from, I have no idea. But what was going on between the Emu and cows was downright funny! When that Emu ran up one side of the fence, the cows simply followed and ran behind the lone Emu from the other side of the fence. Up one side the Emu ran, then down the other side it would go. The cows followed blindly and this follow the leader game continued for awhile.
Chiquita (pictured below) meanwhile, was coming unglued at the strange creature and wanted no part of this Emu whom she knew wasn’t supposed to be there. Her instinct was to turn around and run as far and fast away from the intruder as she could. Beau, on the other hand, was content to stand and watch and take the whole scene in. Needless to say, Chiquita and I made a fast get away and waited for my husband and Beau to catch up with us.
Now, there wasn’t anything tempting or sinful about the Emu story of course, but what immediately flashed through my mind was how we sometimes allow the glitter of temptation that looks innocent at first, to lure us into following that sparkle of forbidden treasure into sin that later turns into rot, decay and disaster. If we stay and linger, look at, or put our toe in and just “test” the waters of temptation, we are inviting big trouble that can have terrible consequences.
But what if, like Chiquita, we rely on the Holy Spirit’s “instinct” within us and follow and obey His prompt to run at first glance? The Word clearly tells us in Proverbs 4: 14-15,”Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way”.
Sin starts as temptation; first a thought, then words, then action. Friends, let’s run from temptation so we won’t get caught in the enemy’s snare. If only we’d embrace this divine instruction and practice it over and over until it actually becomes easier with each temptation, we’d save ourselves a lot of heartache.
Just something to reflect on! There were many other times when my Chiquita ran from other situations that could have gotten us into trouble. I just learned to hold on and say a prayer…
I’d love to hear your thoughts and things you do to overcome when temptation comes your way…
Living to love,
Brenda
Run From Tempation
