At each birthday, my mom would always say she was pushing 29, just with her hind legs. When there’s work to be done at my father-in-law’s place, taking a break or quitting early is not an option when an 80+ year old is outworking you. The further away “18” is in the rear view mirror, the less time it takes to be reminded that I am not 18 anymore.
When I’m faced with a “honey-do” or “sonny-do” list, I divide the work into “have-to’s” and “want-to’s”. Hopefully the “have-to’s” get done before I run out of juice. I try to get it done before “the old man” in me catches up.
As the “old man” caught up to me today, it made me think of an old biblical reference.
In the King James Version of the Bible it says:
“Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him” Colossians 3:8-10 KJV
The New International Version says:
“Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.” Colossians 3:8-10 NIV
So the “old man” is your old self, your old ways, which you have put away when you put on your new self, which is in the image of the Creator. Just the thought of THAT “old man” catching up could be devastating.
“as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:12
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” Galatians 2:20
We have been forgiven and the “old man” was nailed to the cross with Jesus. The old ways are gone. Easy to say until the triggers of the old ways reappear, and not surprisingly, at our weakest moments. Temptation is good at that. Tired, hurting, frustrated, depressed, and our sin of choice presents itself as an escape from whatever we are going through.
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one” Matthew 6:13
Pray for the wisdom to see temptation for what it is and for the strength to endure it. Keep one step ahead of the old man.
But sometimes, when the old man sneaks up on you, you have to work harder to regain the lead. Do whatever it takes. Walk away, pray, sing, turn around and run.
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13
God always provides a way out, we just have to recognize it and use it.
I pray that I may have the vision to see what’s coming, the strength to choose the way out, and the wisdom to know whether to walk or run.
I pray the same for you.
And that you may be
Blessed in Great Measure
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