THE GIFT OF TEMPTATION
Temptation as a gift was a foreign concept to me. I always thought of it as a roadblock to doing the things I know I should be doing. My dictionary defines temptation as the desire to do something, especially something wrong or unwise. I have struggled with the idea that it could be a gift. Finally, I realized that some temptations can be an invitation rather than a barrier.
The best example I’ve seen of this gift is a political ad that I have been seeing recently. The young man is running for the United States Congress. His parents had wanted him to become a doctor or an engineer. He followed his own path to work in the public service sector. His temptation was to ignore the traditional paths his parents wished for him and to go after his own dream. So far, he’s been a Mayor, an Assemblyman and now wishes to move on to US Congress.
The temptation doesn’t have to be as major as a career choice. It can be much simpler, such as deciding to postpone your chores and take a walk on a glorious day. It can also be more life changing such as the temptation to adopt a pet from the animal shelter.
In all these examples the temptation is an invitation to what was right for each of us, and to feel sure it was part of God’s plan for us.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for the opportunities you give us through the gift of temptation. Amen
Sally Hunter