(Directions) Jukebox Way

 
 
James 1:19-25 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (v.22)
 
 
YOU'RE ON VACATION with your parents. You wanted to go on a two-week tour of the best amusement parks in the world, but your mom and dad overruled you. You're going to the International Jukebox Museum instead.
     You've been in the car with your parents and your little sister for four days, and if she sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" one more time, you'll knock yourself inconcious against the window. Your dad has stopped the car only in four days announcing as you poured yourself out of the car, "We'll leave in 3minutes." Lately, however, you've noticed that the scenery seems to be repeating itself.
     "Are we lost?" you ask.
     "No," Dad says in a voice of exasperation. "We're almost there."
     "Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom," your little sister says.
     "Why don't you just ask for directions?" your mom suggests.
     "I don't need directions. I know where I'm going."
     "That must explain," your mom says, pointing out the window, "why we've passed by that little park 4 times now."
     "Alright, alright," your dad finally says. He jerks the car into a gas station and asks the attendant for directions to the International Jukebox Museum.
     "Right at the light," the man answers, popping his chewing gum in his cheek.
     "2 miles, hang a left at the bottling company. The next left is Jukebox Way." Your dad thanks the man, pulls out of the service station, and turns left at the next light.
     "Dear," your mom says, "the man said to turn right at the light."
     "I know."
     "But you turned left. You're going the wrong way," Mom says.
     "No," your dad answers, "I'll still get there. I'll just go my own way."
     You slump back in your seat. Your sister starts singing again. You eye the window, wondering how hard you'd have to hit your head to knock yourself unconcious.
     That's pretty unrealistic, isn't it? No one would get directions from someone who knows the way and then choose to ignore them.
     But we do that all the time. God has given us directions -- lots of them! He has told us, point blank, how to live a holy and joyful life. Yet we often choose our own way rather than follow directions from someone who knows the way. It's not enough to know right from wrong; you must also choose right or your knowledge is useless.
 
 

Reflect: When was the last time you knew the right thing but did the wrong thing anyway? What made you choose wrong? How can you choose differently the next time? 

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(Temptations) Steer Clear!

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Proverbs 4:14-15
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.
 
 
 
A WEALTHY MAN was once searching for a chauffeur to drive his limousine. Many people applied for the job, but the millionaire picked only a few to take a driving test.
 
     The millionaire sat comfortably in the back of the limousine and told the first applicant to begin driving. As they drove along a narrow mountain road, the millionaire called to the driver, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, eager to show his skills, steered the expensive car within few feet of the dangerous bluff. When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire said, "Thank you. We'll let you know."
 
     The second driver then slipped behind the steering wheel. Again, the millionaire said, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, who was determined to outdo the first applicant, steered the long limousine within inches of the cliff! When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire told the second driver, "Thank you. We'll let you know."
 
     Another driver then took the second driver's place and was given the same instructions. But the third driver answered, "No way! I wouldn't go near the edge of the cliff no matter how much money you paid me!" The millionaire smiled and answered, "You're hired!"
 
     The millionaire's request was not intended to test the driver's skills; it was intended to test each man's wisdom. When he found a man who would steer clear of danger even if it meant losing a potential job, he knew he had found a safe driver.
 
     God is looking for young men and women who will steer clear of danger, too, because He knows that making right choices begins with avoiding temptation. He doesn't wabt His children to see how close they can get to sin without giving in. He wants you and me to look at temptation and say "No way!I'm not getting near that!"
 
     Many wrong choices can be avoided if we just steer clear of temptation. The bible says:"Run from all these evil things and follow what is right and good" (1 Timothy 6:11). If you're tempted to steal cookies, stay out of the kitchen! If your friends are trying to get you to try cigarettes, get some new friends! In other words, if you avoid the temptation before you're tempted, you're less likely to be tempted. And that will make it easier for you to make the right choice.
 
 
 
Reflect: Do you usually steer close to temptation or do you tend to steer clear of temptation? Think of your three strongest temptations. How can you steer clear of them?
 

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