1 Peter 3:10-11
“Do you really love life?
Do you want to be happy?
Then stop saying cruel things
and quit telling lies.
Give up your evil ways
and do right,
as you find and follow
the road that leads
to peace.
Scripture taken from the Contemporary English Version © 1991,1992, 1995 by American Bible Society, Used by Permission.
Our 3-year-old niece, Zola, is a “runner”. She loves to break free from holding the hand of an adult and run…into parking lots, out into the street, or across the yard. It’s a problem that could have serious consequences, and we are all trying to impress upon her that she must not do this! When she ran from me after church, I told her, “You cannot come to our house this week to spend the night if you are not going to mind us!” She began to wail…”But I want to come!” I reminded her that she must start doing right! She is definitely a “work in progress”!
As we get older, the specifics of our “evil ways” may change…but the basic principle is the same. There are temptations on all sides, and we succumb to them for a variety of reasons…ranging from a desire to fit in to the yearning to “be our own person” and exercise our independence! It’s something of a “grown-up” version of running into the street! Regardless of the reason, the results are often the same…hurt feelings, emotional and physical danger, disappointment, and unhappiness, to name a few.
In order to be truly happy and “free”, we must trust Jesus to help us release the “hold” of Satan…to help us rid our lives of evil – lying, cheating, gossip, criticism and insults, cruelty of any kind, and more. We must strive to live more like Jesus each and every minute of the day. As we begin to cling to Him and HIS ways…we will find that our lives are actually more carefree and joyful.
Do you really love life? Do you truly want to be joyful and happy? Jesus is waiting to show you how. Are you ready to take His hand and let Him?
©2014 Debbie Robus
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