Walking Through a Minefield

Dan Kunz

 I still remember when I was told my brother was seriously wounded in Vietnam. I was away at school when my parents called me. Thankfully, after a few months in a hospital, he recovered.

 I can’t believe that was more than fifty years ago! For the younger generations, the Vietnam War is just another chapter in their history books.

 But not in Vietnam. 50 years after the war, there are still millions of landmines and bombs contaminating about 20% of the land. Since 1975, these have maimed or killed over 100,000 people. Still today, it is vitally important for people not to stray off the paths that have been cleared through these minefields.

 This can serve as a picture of life. The war is over. Jesus has soundly defeated the devil. “Thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15:57.)

 But there are still many deadly mines lying about. We call them temptations. They are everywhere: the suggestive picture on the computer, the friend who tells us to have just one more drink, the person who pays us under the table so we don’t have to pay any taxes on it. Or how about the politician who encourages us to deride those who don’t agree with us? Or the sincere Christian who so convincingly shares a false teaching? Or our sinful selves who want everything to revolve around us? Examples are endless.

 So how can we walk safely through them? The answer is simple to see but difficult to follow. God’s Word gives us a safe path through the minefield of life. His commands are like warning signs posted every few feet. Flee from, not feed, lust. Don’t even think that hateful thought. Watch out for false teachers wearing sheep clothing.

 But it’s not just God’s commands that keep us on the straight and narrow. His promises also do that. Don’t be tempted to worry – I will provide for you. Don’t become mired in guilt – I have drowned your sins in the depths of the sea. Don’t fear that cancer diagnosis – I will make even that work out for your good.

 In spite of all this, we still sometimes wander off the path and a temptation explodes right in our face. Thankfully, that is not the end of the story. Even then we don’t have to despair because the Lord picks us up and makes us whole. That’s what he did with Aaron when he made the golden calf. Only a few months later the Lord made him Israel’s high priest. That is what the Lord did with Peter when he vehemently denied him. He not only made him whole, he recommissioned him as an apostle. There is no way we can comprehend the depth of God’s love for us.

 In this new year, recommit yourself to confidently walk through the minefield of life. Heed his commands. Trust in his promises.  Stay on the path of his Word.