It’s a Slippery Slope
Years ago, my cousins were in for a visit, and we were in the backyard jumping on the trampoline. Though jumping was fun, we decided a little soap and water would make it even better. A bottle of Mom’s dish soap would work perfectly. One of us (probably me) took it from the kitchen. We had the best time slipping and sliding all over the slick surface in our wet clothes, until Mom discovered that we had used all of her Dawn.
After everyone went home, Mom decided to teach Amy and I a lesson about being wasteful. She told us that we had to use our allowance to buy another bottle and to make sure we bought Dawn and not the cheap stuff. Instead of driving to Bill’s Dollar Store or TWL, she took us to the small-town grocery store where everything costs a lot more. She was making sure that we got the point. I guess it worked since I remember it some 40 years later.
Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I was mending the fence while standing on the edge of an embankment. (As referenced in last week’s blog.) The ground was still wet from the morning dew and of course the last piece of barbed wire needed to go in the worst location. I thought I was being extra careful when all of sudden I started slipping just like I was on a soapy trampoline again, but this time wasn't nearly as fun. While still holding a piece of wire, my feet came out from under me and into the cold stream I went. I emerged with wet pants, muddy shoes, and scratched arms. I had gotten too close to the edge and before I knew it, I was somewhere I never intended to be.
Isn't that where we find ourselves sometimes? In places that we never intended to be. The more we allow ourselves to get near things we should avoid, the greater the chances are that we'll fall. Thankfully, our God is merciful, and he forgives us and helps us back on our feet when we get ourselves into situations that should have been avoided.
In Proverbs, Solomon warns his son to stay clear of the path of the wicked. Depending on the translation, he's told to avoid it, don't get on it, pass by it, keep on moving, and my favorite...don't even think about. That's the way we should be with any kind of sin. We should want to be as far away from it as we can be instead of seeing just how close we can get to it without slipping.
Don't do as the wicked do, and don't follow the path of evildoers. Don't even think about it, don't go that way. Turn away and keep moving. -Proverbs 4:15 NLT
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