“What were you thinking?” How many times did your parents ask you that question after you messed up? How many times have you asked that of your children? How many times have you asked that of yourself?
Messing up is a part of life. After all, we’re only human. When we’re faced with the decision to take the narrow path or the broad, easier path — when we are faced with temptations — how do we react?
I understand that big time messes are more than just an “Oops!” They can be life changing, rock-your-world messes. To you. To others. To those who you never thought your actions would mess up their lives too.
May I share an encouraging scripture with you?
Paul writes: No test or temptation that comes your way is beyond the course of what others have had to face. All you need to remember is that God will never let you down; he’ll never let you be pushed past your limit; he’ll always be there to help you come through it. (1 Corinthians 10:13, The Message)
Now, does that mean that God will make the choice for us whether to sin or not to sin? No. But this word says He will give us the strength to make the right choice, prompted by His Holy Spirit, who will guide us into all truth (see John 16:13).
But there are times when we do mess up. Have you been there lately? Sometimes the most difficult grace to extend is to ourselves, isn’t it?
I was reading Romans 5 recently — if you have a chance to do so, read the whole chapter — Paul is talking about when sin entered the world through Adam:
Here it is in a nutshell: Just as one person did it wrong and got us in all this trouble with sin and death, another person did it right and got us out of it. But more than just getting us out of trouble, he got us into life! One man said no to God – ADAM — and put many people in the wrong; one man – JESUS– said yes to God and put many in the right. (Romans 5:18-19, The Message)
Please do your best to stay away from sin. “Make right choices,” I tell my teenagers. But thanks be to God! For when we do mess up, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven… through the Cross… through the One who “gets us into life!” Hallelujah!
May you forgive, and be forgiven, while you embrace the life He has for you today.
(c) 2012. Rich Ronald.
RichRonald.com 
“Make right choices.” Yep, that’s the goal … and the rub. It’s troublesome to me when the available choices all seem to be the lesser of evils, to use the modern vernacular.
The clear-cut right choice is seldom a sticking point even if I fight making it because it’s difficult (i.e., my pride gets in the way).
Honestly, sometimes I feel like a teenager when it comes to making choices. I still pray for God’s mercy to override my dumb decisions!
Another thought-provoking post, Rich!
Thanks for reading and replying, Donna. Just reading in Psalm 25 this morning “Overlook my youthful sins…” And while it prompted me to pray for those I know who are still youthful, like my children… I reach verse 11 and have to agree with David: “But Lord, my sins! How many they are. Oh, pardon them for the honor of your name.” And I am so thankful that He does.
Good words – usable at any stage in life. This is the first time I followed your link on LinkedIn so didn’t know about your blog. Out of curiosity – did you post the “share” video clip or was that just an advertisement added by your hosting site? I was trying to make a connection between your comments and the video. It was a teen vampire party in the woods spoiled by the LED headlights of an Audi.
Anita, thanks for reading, pondering, commenting. Nope, I had nothing to do with the Audi ad. My apologies if it offended.
It didn’t offend. Just couldn’t figure out the connection.
I guess I didn’t notice the small print ‘advertisement’ in the corner.