Jim's Column

Jim Krutza

Pastor of Music and Worship

Jim’s article, August 10, 2010:

Our fifteen month old grandson, Calvin, likes to explore the premises by climbing on steps and opening cabinet doors. When we know that he is coming to see us, we make some advance preparations. Most people would that say that we childproof our house, but last week he made an impromptu visit without his parents. We were delighted, but our childproofing was "on the fly" you might say.

In the family room, Calvin especially likes the arrangement on the coffee table. This decoration simulates a bird nest with three artificial blue eggs and other "pretties" on a tray. If Calvin had the opportunity, he would throw the eggs like balls - one of his favorite toys. He knows the routine. Whenever the tray that holds this summer arrangement is left on the "just his height" coffee table, the temptation is moved to a higher cabinet out of his reach.

Last week, Calvin scampered into the room, spotted the bird nest, looked at his "Nana" and proceeded to show her the place that she needed to move the tempting arrangement so he could not reach it. It surprised us that he made all of those connections at his young age, but it made me start thinking.

How often do we adults handle our temptations in the same way? What do we do when we walk into a circumstance that we know will cause us to sin? Do we avoid it? Do we ask our Heavenly Father to remove it - out of our reach?

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. 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 stand up under it.”

I Corinthians 10:12-13

Jim