• Stepping Out of the Quicksand

    By: Kristen McNulty




    I shuffle into my office, boot up the computer and do what I do almost day before I start my workload, I glance at the news headlines. Titles scroll by, stories about wars and death and the issues all around us. But one headline jumps out at me that shakes my soul: another well-known Christian leader has been caught in a scandal and forced to resign.

    It shakes my soul because I know very well that if you or I were in the same public position, our names could easily be interchanged with his.

    Sin is a disease that not one of us is immune from and the second we stop fiercely fighting against it, it can overtake us. But that's not what the enemy of our souls would have us believe. Satan whispers that it's okay to taste, to try, to linger. He tells us that no one will know, that it's just once or that we're only human to give in. But that is a dangerous road to go down because dabbling in sin is like playing in quicksand. The longer you're in, the deeper you go and the harder it is to get out.

    The big scandals we read about in the news didn't start with the person suddenly diving into sin with no abandon. Nor does the scandals of sin that don't make their way on the news, but occur nonetheless. No, usually falls like that happen when someone puts their toes in, then inches their way further and further in until before they know it, they are drowning and can't get out.

    And it's the same for you and I. We can't live with one foot on solid ground and another in quicksand and think the quicksand of sin is never going to pull us in. No, instead we need to turn to God, admit our flaws and mistakes and build our lives on His firm foundation. That doesn't mean we'll never stumble, but it does mean that when we do, we'll accept His helping hand to get back up on our feet and not let one mistake turn into a lifetime of them.

    Closing off with words from James 4:4-10 in the Message:
    You’re cheating on God. If all you want is your own way, flirting with the world every chance you get, you end up enemies of God and his way. And do you suppose God doesn’t care? The proverb has it that “he’s a fiercely jealous lover.” And what he gives in love is far better than anything else you’ll find. It’s common knowledge that “God goes against the willful proud; God gives grace to the willing humble.” So let God work his will in you. Yell a loud no to the Devil and watch him scamper. Say a quiet yes to God and he’ll be there in no time. Quit dabbling in sin. Purify your inner life. Quit playing the field. Hit bottom, and cry your eyes out. The fun and games are over. Get serious, really serious. Get down on your knees before the Master; it’s the only way you’ll get on your feet.


    Reprint rights available on request. Email the author at kristenmcnulty@hotmail.com.

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