I can’t believe what I’ve got myself into. I thought I had everything under control. I didn’t realise the whole time, that the enemy had plans to destroy my life. Father please won’t You have mercy on me. Please forgive me and restore your joy.
I can’t imagine staying here till I die. I got to get back to your side
The devil tempted me and I was drawn away but I have no desire to stay. No.
I’ve got to get out of here.
I want to be with You.
song by Tye Tribbett- Prodigal Son
The heat you are feeling is from the fire approaching you even though you are hiding. Unfortunately, you are hiding at a bad place. Cold hard reality eventually comes knocking on the door. If only it could quench the approaching inferno.
It looked fun when you were going to do it, it felt good when you did it. Now, it’s not fun anymore. Sinking back into addiction; picking a dead weight again; visiting that house of sin again; tripping in the net that easily entangles; feeling the intense heat of guilt. It’s not fun anymore.
The blaze is getting stronger. The smoke is getting thicker. Am I on fire? Suffocating in hell? “Why can’t I focus?” Choking on on dark smoke, your eyes burn. “I cannot see.” Blindly feeling your way around for the way out you crave for one more breath. This thing doesn’t make you happy. You know your life gets no joy from it.
Sooner or later, you have to walk into the light and leave that burning house behind. The cool wind of freedom is beckoning you. “Come.” Will you?.
To save your life, reality will bang at the door – ready to barge in. Reality, which insistently calls on you, not caring to wait for the fire to consume you.
As you contemplate, “stay or be saved? ” “What should I do?” You realise your tiredness, hurt, burning, dying. At that place, you’re wondering, “do I stay in the burning house because I’m burned already, or do I walk towards my salvation – the light.”
Like the prodigal child you know you’ve done wrong. you’re rehearsing your lines and arranging your rhymes for a second chance. “Am I worth saving?”.
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..
Eventually, you step towards the light. You reach for the soothing cool wind and breathe in fresh air. Your head is clear, your burning heart eases. Freedom feels great. Freedom is what you needed all along.
Then the whisper comes. Whispers of how you’ve just failed. Whispers of your weaknesses. “You’re tainted. Flawed. How could you? How could you do this? How could you go this far? Why did you drink that? Why did you go there? Why did you not stop? You said the last time that you wouldn’t, now look at you.”
Your thoughts are now in turmoil. Your countenance falls. Your emotions become a mess. Your flesh is still tempted. The deceiver is whispering and pouring lies.
Nonetheless, you pick up your phone and you see messages from God to you informing you of the cost of your actions YET He Paid. Messages about the Love He has for you. You turn on your television and He says its not over for you, you Shine in Him. You reach for His word and His grace abounds to you.
There’s a point in your Christian walk when you have to choose whether His mercy will push you forward, keep you fighting, and keep you going. Or whether the lies will keep you falling, keep you stalling, and keep you cowing.
God doesn’t save you more than the salvation you desire for yourself. He desires to save you wholly. But you have to give yourself over wholly.
So in that moment when time freezes and the decision is made which direction will you turn your face. The enemy’s lies or the Father’s truth. Will you choose His mercy? Will you look back at the burning house or stay in the cool wind of His love. Will you be Lot, or his wife? Will you face the mountain or the destruction? Living flesh or a pillar of salt?
Death or life?
He’s still speaking because He cares. Yet still He says, “The choice is yours.”
What is it going to be?