Last night I watched the movie Sinners. I will tell you that I enjoyed the movie and its unsubtle subtext, but that’s not why I am writing about it. The movie begins with the son of a preacher interrupting the service all beaten and bloody. It then flashes back to the father rehearsing the sermon.
The sermon focuses on a verse from 1 Corinthians saying that God gives us no more temptation than we can bear and always provides a path out. It is interesting to think about that. Not only in the context of the film but in the context of my life. I keep looking for the path out. To unburden myself of the burden I was given, and feeling like I am being given more than I can bear.
If we look at the Bible there is one big temptation that keeps coming up again and again and again. Think about Moses coming down the mountain and finding his people worshipping a golden calf or Jesus in the temple turning over the table of the money lenders. Riches and gold, and more importantly worshipping wealth over God. That is the biggest temptation God sees in us, greed. We will turn away from God for the worship of gold.
Thinking about my current situation and my drive to get enough money to pay all these bills and how unexpected hardships and bills keep coming at me. It is a race against everything, including temptation, because what would be an easier path out than simply taking the money I’m in control of and running off somewhere?
That is the worship of the golden calf. That is not the path that God provided. That path is one of hard work and responsibility, and a bit of irresponsibility at times, like putting the new washer and dryer on a credit card, and possibly having to do the same with the new HVAC unit.
It is a position I do not enjoy being in, but one I must be in. I doubt I am the best suited for it, and I cannot wait for it all to be done. I know the path forward. Now it is about walking it.
David Huzzard Writes 