On vacation last month, I was playing with the camera settings on my cell phone, trying out the “selective focus mode,” wanting to look like a halfway decent photographer. And I got the shot! But I got something else too. Something not so welcome.
See the bee inside the flower? Well that little guy hitchhiked home with me! When I got back to the quiet of our hotel room, I heard a faint buzzing sound. At first I thought it was the radio of the next door neighbors. But it seemed too close to me. I checked my ipad and phone to see if there was something playing inadvertently. But no. I couldn’t find the source of the buzzing.
So I ignored it.
To my regret.
Seconds later, I felt a sharp pain at my waist. I pulled at my shorts and shirt, and out flew the hitchhiker, right out the back door!
The pain increased exponentially as a red circle began to grow around the stinger. But Tony, my hero husband, came to the rescue, removing the venom and washing it down the sink. Within a few hours, the pain, redness, and swelling were completely gone. There’s just a dot left where the stinger remains.
And of course, some life lessons remain with me too:
- Don’t get too close to trouble. Satan entices us with pretty little attractions. Lures that become dangerous temptations. When we draw too close to a dangerous or forbidden thing, person, or activity, we lose sight of the bigger picture. When we indulge in pride, envy, bitterness, any fruit of the flesh, it becomes an unholy dalliance. Our “selective focus” tunes out the warnings in our spirit.
- Hear the warnings, and heed the warnings. I heard the buzzing, but thought it was a harmless distraction. I didn’t pay attention to the possible consequences until it was too late. When that little nudge in your spirit says “don’t,” beware and be aware. Stop, look, and listen hard.
- Once stung, repent! Get as far away from the situation as possible, and turn to the Helper (John 16:7). Fortunately, Tony was able to reverse most of the effects of the poison. When we confess, Jesus forgives us, taking our mistakes, our failures, our transgressions, and cleansing us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:8-9).
- Consequences remain. Although the sting is gone, a scar remains. It’s both a physical and spiritual truth that we reap what we sow (Gal. 6:7). The pain from broken trust in relationships often lingers long after reconciliation. There may be limits, boundaries that we didn’t require before, but now need in place to keep us free from temptation.
Father, we’re so thankful to live under Your grace. May we never take it for granted. Let us strive to live holy lives, pleasing in Your sight, and keeping our eyes on You. “…and forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us. And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.” Matt. 6:12-13
Because He Himself suffered when He was tempted, He is able to help those who are being tempted. Hebrews 2:18
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13