Temptation

• Box Elder Bugs   Some people have trouble with mice, and others the aggravation of flies buzzing about the place. In the South there are large, "scary" flying roaches. Around my office lurks the dreaded box elder bug!    Imagine for a moment, sitting alone in a room and knowing there is no one within 75 yards of you. Suddenly, there is a fuzzy flutter sound and a light impact against your hair. Do you swat it, go look in the mirror, brush it off or wait to see what is going to happen next?    Once I was running my computer printer, hurriedly trying to finish a project when a reddish bug-shaped blotch marred the printed page!    These are the antics of "boxy" bugs! And no matter what I try, they march on toward the warmth of my office space.    Life's little trials seem like that too. No matter how clean you live, they keep coming. Solomon, the writer of Ecclesiastes discovered that life was full of stuff like that. He tried all kinds of things to make himself feel better about life and came to the famous conclusion, "Vanity of vanities... all is vanity! (Ecclestiastes. 12:8) His solution was "Fear God and keep His commandments" (vs. 13). All real meaning in life is found in that relationship.    Seek to know God above all else. That's what really matters!

• Skunk In The Dark     Our 14 year old is the paper carrier for our little town. As the season turns to winter, he often ends up running the route in early morning darkness. One stretch passes by barking dogs while another can have some hazardous road conditions. He's fallen several times on patches of ice and been run off the road by an ornery driver. He's been bit by a dog and practically drown in the rain. But the part he probably hates the most is a skunk out for an early morning stroll!    The skunk's path is in an area where there is little light from street lamps or houses. You can imagine how disconcerting it is to suddenly realize that your social life for the next day or two could be severely hampered by one false move!    The writer of Ephesians says that as we imitate God we are to steer clear of those things in the darkness. Ephesians 5:11 says, "And do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them." How do we expose those deeds (or a skunk)? Shine a light on them!    You are called to shine the light of Christ in this world and not participate in the darkness. God does this for your own protection. If you are trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior, stay away from the darkness where the skunks lurk. Walk in the Light!

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