From the Penthouse to the Outhouse?

Scripture: Mark 1: 9-15

Talk about an emotional crash! Jesus has just been baptized signaling the start of his earthly purpose as the Messiah. The heavens even opened up and the Holy Spirit descended upon Him like a dove and God spoke giving Him a heavenly affirmation.

Then, IMMEDIATELY !!, He is sent into the desert. No celebration of His Baptism. No festive gatherings with His family and friends as He begins His life’s calling. No time to focus and plan His course of action.           Just a trip to the desert to face a multitude of giants. A 40 day spiritual journey in a physical desert to face a host of spiritual, emotional and mental giants.

We’ve all been to that desert and we’ve all faced those giants. Life is going along great and then Bang!!!, we or a someone close to us face one or more of those giants. You know them. They are called death, health issues, job loss, depression, marital problems, substance abuse, financial problems, loneliness, fear, worry, regret and the list could go on and on.

In reality, Jesus was only facing one temptation. He was being tempted to take his focus off of God and focus on His problems. The same is true of us. When we take our focus off of God and place it on our “giants”, that is when we will succumb to any multitude of lesser temptations.

We are fortunate to worship a Savior who has walked our walk and understands the giants we face and the emotional rollercoaster that this life can be. We are even more fortunate to worship a Savior who will stay right beside us when life takes us from the penthouse to the outhouse.

Christian author Max Lucado in his book Facing Your Giants sums it up perfectly: “Focus on giants, you stumble.

Focus on God, your giants tumble”

From the penthouse to the outhouse? Not when you focus on God.

Prayer: Loving Father help us to focus on you so that our “giants will tumble”.

 

Gary Monroe