Don't Slip

1Peter 1:13-15

 

So think clearly and exercise self-control.  Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.  So you must live as God's obedient children.  Don't slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires.  But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy.

 

 

Going up to the boys bath house at Alpine camp right now is hard work.  You either have to go around to the back lot and take the about 50 steps up or you can climb up the hill at the front lot.  I like to take the front lot hill way and decided to do so this morning.  I needed to take a box of soap up to the janitor closet...no big deal.  So, box in hand, I began the jaunt up the hill which is short but quite steep and this time of year, covered with snow.  I soon realized that this was maybe not a great idea with the limited grip on my snow boots.  I struggled and slipped trying not to totally lose it and fall down at which time I probably would not stop until I hit the shale road at the bottom.  The thought of the embarrassment (not to mention the pain) that this would cause me spurred me to focus and actually concentrate on where I chose to put each footstep.  After more effort than I care to admit, I made it to the bath house, out of breath, and contemplating what made me think that was a good idea.

 

 

That snowy hill is a lot like my life.  And I wonder, do I keep alert living every moment aware of God's gracious salvation to me?  Are my thoughts clearly focused on obeying his will in everything I do?  Do I exercise self-control in my desires and how I think realizing I am set apart as God's?  If not...I just might slip.