My temptation is service. If someone's sentence begins with "Kristina can you...?" I already know what I'm going to say: Yes. Of course I can. I'm a big enough person. I can do everything. Design a rocket? Sure. Find a cure for insomnia? Uh, no problem. Give a twelve page report on the feeding habits of rare African mammals? I'll have it done by tomorrow. I feel the need to do something about everything, whether it's school clubs, working, helping out a friend or being more involved in my church. I'm the "yes" girl. It's like some sort of whacked out disease, that takes control of your brain and makes you think you're some sort of super hero. And, as horrible as it sounds, I love it. I thrive off of being incredibly busy. I practically plan out my emotional breakdowns and know exactly when I'm going to start stressing. I can rattle off all of my activities in perfect order to anyone who cares to ask, and probably throw in a couple things that just sound good. Why? I'm not actually sure. I think I have control issues.
But temptation is so much bigger than that, and so much more broad. Temptation can be in a relationship. Temptation can be at the mall when you're looking at something you could never afford. Temptation could be cheating on a test, lying to your parents, taking what isn't yours, drinking, drugs, sex, anything. I hate how it gets into your system and just looks so desirable. And then, after you give in to it, you cry. Because ultimately, it lets you down and you know it. It promised to be good and it sucked. It told you it would satisfy you and it made you feel dirty. It almost, oh, almost looked Godly, until you took it's hand and it pulled you into the pit and you have no idea how to get out.
I was talking to my manager, Joe, about some things and he said (and I paraphrase), "Don't you think when Jesus went into the desert he was hot? Don't you think his feet were blistered and his lips were cracked and his skin dry and irritated? He was human. And yet he resisted the temptation he faced despite all of these things. Sometimes we look at the Bible like it's just a bunch of "Bible stories." But we forget that He was a real person, that these "stories" are to show us what things are really like, that we can relate to them."
And you know, I have never thought about Jesus having blisters. Or dry, cracked skin. How much did he want relief? How badly must he have wanted a drink of water? I wonder.
I've been reading James this week. Isn't it funny how you'll be reading something in the Bible, not really thinking about how God's going to whack you upside the head with it, and suddenly BAM!! A day or so later God's like, uh hello? Didn't I just reveal this to you in my Word?
James 1:13-15
"And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, 'God is tempting me.' God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death."
1 Timothy 6:11-12
"But you, [insert your name], are a man [woman] of God; so run from all these evil things. Pursue righteousness and a godly life, along with faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the true faith. Hold tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have confessed so well before many witnesses."
