by Ricky Doc Sauceda
Once, my father was heaping a pile of rubbish to burn in our backyard in Houston. I was very young, around seven years old. He warned me not to get near the pile as he was setting it on fire to burn. He explained there were some spray paint cans that could explode and to stay clear.
I guess I was just too mesmerized by the fire to heed his warning. I watched the fire burn as it was sunset and the flames were really impressive. Well, the inevitable occurred…a paint can exploded and came hurling right to me. I remember seeing the hollow metal tube projecting at me…I focused in on it. I could actually hear it hissing as it got closer to me. It was red hot and had flames all around it.
I raised my left arm to shield my face. The can grazed my arm and cut the tip of my pinky to where it dangled. Soon, I was in a great deal of pain. I remember being inside on my parent’s bed. I was trembling with shock and I could hear momma yelling at my father. She was mad at him over this, but in fairness the man did warn me.
The Lord is the same to us in our daily life. He warns us not to give in to the flesh and to the ways of the world. We are lured by the alluring features of various temptations and will eventually be burned by the sins of our fleshly desires. It seems childlike to read the parts of the bible that tell us to behave, but they are there for a reason.
God has a great love for us and wants to give us goodness, but He can only do this if we are in His Light. We must live in the ways of the Lord and be pleasing to Him. Otherwise, we will not be able to receive His gifts, blessings and bounties. He requires that we focus on Him and be dedicated and faithful.
Stay away from the fire of temptation and sin. Don’t get burned by the flames that will eventually lunge at you. There is always a price to pay for not obeying...always. Why go the way of the fool, when you know better?
May the peace and love of the Lord be with you.