Article

Snow Drifts

Written by Pastor Eric Everhart

Not sure about most of you, but I love winter. I love the colder temperatures, the smell of burning firewood, having to bundle up, and even the snowfall. Winter is an awesome and beautiful time of the year. 

Even though I love the winter and especially the snow, I don’t like having to drive on snow-covered roads. Driving in the snow can be stressful and even dangerous at times. Point in case: the other day I was driving on the backroads headed home for the day, and in a matter of seconds I found myself in one of the corn fields. I was following the “two tracks” through the snow, following the path that other cars made and moving along pretty well. I took my eyes off the road for just a second, trying to see who was texting me–and just like that I was off the road and in the field. 

Taking my eyes off the road and being distracted, my front tires had caught a little bit of the snow drift on the side of the road. That little bit of snow grabbed my tires and pulled me right off the road. I’m sure you all know what I’m talking about. Thankfully I was able to put my truck in four wheel drive and pull out of the field without much trouble.  

Our world is full of temptations, distractions, that are waiting to pull us off the road and into the field. We are just one “bad decision” away from being distracted and pulled off the path God has intended for us. “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7 You find yourself living out your faith walk pretty well and things seem to be going good. Then an opportunity for gossip presents itself, your computer tempts you to visit a site you shouldn’t, someone of the opposite sex catches your attention even though you are already in a relationship, or a difference in political opinions prompts a hate-filled response.  

In these moments, we have a choice to make. Do we take our eyes off God’s intended path for our lives to give these things our focus? Do these things get our attention? It’s just harmless gossip and it’s probably true. I know that this will take me to a pornography site but it won’t hurt to check it out. My wife won’t mind me having coffee with this woman I just met–it’s just coffee. I know I shouldn’t get into the conversation, but I’m right and they’re wrong–I just have to say something. “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire.” James 1:4

The world tempts us, we make a decision to act, and our sinful hearts are revealed–causing pain, regret, guilt, and even self-condemnation. And many times, our decisions hurt others, too, including the ones we love. That small temptation catches our faith walk, pulls us quickly off the road, and we find ourselves buried in the consequences of our choices. Someone is hurt by our words, a lack of trust destroys a relationship, families are divided by the need to win an argument. “Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” James 1:15  

What about you? What is going on in your life at this moment that has pulled your attention from the true path? Make a decision today to get back on the road, to stay focused on the path God has laid out for you, and avoid the snow drifts!! 

“Let us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from beginning to end.” Hebrews 12:2

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