[228 words]
A tourist wanted to visit a beautiful monastery. The problem was, it was located 3,000 feet up a cliff. The only way to reach it was by a terrifying ride in a basket with several men pulling it up with a single rope. Reluctantly, the tourist and a monk climbed into the basket. About half way up the cliff, the tourist started noticing how old and frayed the rope was. He turned to the monk and asked, “How often do you change out the rope?” The monk replied, “whenever it breaks.”
Some situations are best dealt with ahead of time. Wash the clothes before the drawer goes bare. Have a spare key somewhere accessible. Fill up the gas tank before it hits “E.” Change your car brakes before they stop working.
The same is true with spiritual problems. Many of the sins we deal with can be prevented if we simply take care of the situation ahead of time. Work on spiritual weak points. Run from tempting situations (Genesis 39; James 4:7). Don’t hang around people who will corrupt our morals (1 Corinthians 15:33). Fill the mind up with what is pure instead of what is corrupt (Philippians 428). Above all, keep God in our corner by consistently echoing Jesus’ prayer, “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13).
Brett Petrillo
via Findlay Church of Christ
Sparta, TN