Getting Stuck In The Mud

Getting Stuck in the Mud

On a Saturday after Thanksgiving, my sons, my brother-in-law, and I got into a duck blind just before sunup. The ducks began to fly overhead, and we were able to bag a few. Shortly thereafter, though, the action stopped. After sitting in the cold for an hour, it was time to go in. As we were heading back, one more duck began to circle the pond. No longer in the blind, I thought, This duck’s not that stupid, is he? Although my brother-in-law told me it was probably best to just head in, I shot the duck out of the air, wounding it. Something in me just couldn’t leave that duck landing right in front of me without taking aim.

The duck started to swim away, beginning an adventure to try to kill it and get it out of the pond. My brother-in-law and I split up, deciding to take different paths to the duck. At the far edge of the pond, I took one step, and I immediately knew I was in trouble. After two more steps, I began to sink, now stuck up to my hips in mud.

Have you ever succumbed to temptation? I knew it was probably best just to go in, but shooting the duck out of the air seemed like great fun. The ramifications of that decision led to great struggle and derailed me for quite some time. Temptation is all around us. That is why Jesus teaches us to always be on the alert. He says in Matthew 26:41, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Don’t give in.

Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!

Matthew 26:41