Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: Selfishness (02/14/05)
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TITLE: a Visit to the Hospital Brings Perspective | Previous Challenge Entry
By Daniel Tichota
02/16/05 -
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As we began to learn more of the story, it turned out that not all the gas was exiting from the garage. He was inhaling particles of this gas. His body had begun to go numb till finally it took all his strength to just make a phone call for help. It was by God's grace that a neighbor was near by and able to assist as 911 was called out. Of course we are all glad that God kept him protected and alive in such a life-threatening situation.
As I relived the experience in my mind later in the week I began to see something. Sin is so crafty in getting into our system, just like this poisonous gas. My friend had all the precautions in place, he wore a mask, had a fan blowing air out, and the garage door open, yet this gas still got in his system. As Christians, we can go to church, read the Bible, and pray, but we still are surrounded by sin. And when sin gets in our mind, just like the gas in his body, we can become numb.
Romans 6:23a "For the wages of sin is death,..." The Bible says that sin leads to death. When it gets inside of you it taints your thinking and numbs you of your rational mind. Eventually it will kill you. Many times I fall into this trap. I struggle with selfishness consistently. I want things on my terms. And if it is not at my time schedule or the way I want it, I throw a fit and start acting like a little baby. I also struggle with wanting more and more or this ‘good thing’.
Another example of this is in my spending. I have a family that I love to take care of, but somehow when I have a little extra cash in my pocket I find someway to spend it on myself as opposed to others. I spend time on myself, which isn’t wrong, but find I spend more alone doing my thing than with others and enjoying their hobbies. I know that this behavior needs to stop or I could find myself alone for different reasons. Just like with this gas that affected my friend, if my actions are not stopped it will only prove me to be numb and not feel or care about the actions that are breaking God's heart.
But let me continue the story of my friend. When I arrived at the hospital I saw him hooked up to an EKG machine and wearing an oxygen mask. The nerves of the others there were starting to dwindle as it was seen he was getting the attention he needed. He was able to pull out of this condition by being hooked up to the pure oxygen provided at the hospital. Isn’t it plain to see how important our being hooked up to God is? Romans 6:23 continues, “…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” My friend was receiving life, and as long as he was hooked up to the oxygen tank, he was breathing pure air. And so it is with me, and you. As long as we are hooked up to Christ, not just going to church, or saying a pray, but walking in right relationship with God, then we have life. The poisonous fumes cannot enter our body.
I challenge you as I do myself, to consider these actions. The poison of sin, whether selfishness or any other crippling sin, is all around us. Only by God’s grace will we have the proper defense to not give in and be suffocated by it. Put on your defense; your armor given by God. Clothed in Him we are able to stand against the enemy.
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