TEMPTATIONS IN THE PROMISED LAND

Temptations are part of life. We tend to think that they come to those who are weak. Or even to us when we are in crisis or solving a major issue or problem. However, strangely, they do creep in when we are the strongest in spirit and in the Promised Land of God's love and abundance. We know we are following the call of his love. We experience the pleasure of doing God's will. We listen to the promptings of our spirit that encourage us to endeavour, launch out, be strong and be faithful. We have overcome various trials and fought many battles to reach this place of love and presence, surrender and victory.

However, in the midst of this, we are gripped by fear of what is our destiny. We are consumed by longings for the things and people we left behind. We long for that which others have. We feel compelled to prove ourselves, break out of boundaries and climb the ladder of self-worth. Voices propel us to move in the direction contrary to the land of grace and presence of God's love. These voices that coax, allure, seduce and contradict all that we had learnt from the Spirit. We are consumed by ourselves and the passions and indecisions of our soul. 

At other times we are bogged down and feel despair and are broken. We are haunted by our failings and weaknesses. We are grieved at the thought of what we have lost and regret our life. We are hounded by voices of discouragement and hopelessness. We want to be consoled by someone and look around but find no one. We are alone.

Then strikes the Tempter. He wants us to accept his offer of vocation, self-worth, love. This is temptation - to forget who called you and for what. This is temptation - to forget who you are in God. This is temptation - to return and give in to the voices of the world and the Tempter. He would have us do something rash, to walk out on God, to take extraordinary steps of false courage. The deception is that we can do everything without God and at our command!

At this time, we can be like Jesus and say - It is written...that..

I am the Beloved.

I am more than a conqueror.

I am the ambassador of God.

I am called to be the head and not the tail.

God is for me.

I will not fear.

In God is my trust.

I will not be put to shame.

I will lack no good thing.

I will build and plant.

I am his prophet.

I am not alone.

I will wait for the deliverance of the Lord...for he is my hope...

This temptation to withdraw from the realm of love will happen...but blessed is he/she who endures to the end...for they will experience New Life in God. We need not run away from the Promised Land of Love. We must fight the enemy and succeed. We can. We will. In his name. Amen