Friday, August 30, 2002
Friday, August 30, 2002
Blessed is anyone who endures temptation. Such a one has stood the test and
will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.
I was encouraged to read that the French writer, Victor Hugo, author of the book on which the
Broadway hit LES MISERABLES is based, had a habit of asking his servant to steal his
clothes every morning. This meant Hugo could not go outside, and so was forced to carry on
with his writing. Battling for control.
Trochilus, a disciple of Plato, was on a ship that sank at sea. Somehow Trochilus survived.
When he reached home, he ordered his servants to wall up the two windows of his home
which looked out upon the sea. He didn't want to look out on those waters some beautiful
summer day and even be tempted to venture out again. The battle for control.
A little boy scraped a chair across the kitchen floor and climbed on it to reach the cookie jar on
the top shelf. His mother heard the noise and called out, "What are you doing in there?" With
his hand in the cookie jar, the child replied, "I'm fighting temptation." Battling for control.
Of course, Jesus can help us win the battle.
(James
1.12
NRSV)
Have you ever battled for control of your own life? Some of us fight that battle every day. The
discouraging truth, however, is that our main adversary is not someone in our family or
someone at work or someone who is angry at us. As Pogo once put it: "We have met the
enemy and he is us."
Lord Jesus, help me win the battle. Amen.
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