Temptation

Yesterday, Allie was telling me how she hasn’t written a blog in a couple of weeks because every time she types out a sentence, she immediately feels a sense of guilt for feeling too “matter of fact” or “preachy.” I instantly knew what she was talking about. I also had to go MIA from social media due to this same temptation to try to be some radical ambassador for the poor here in Liberia. It just didn’t seem right.

After spending some time in the Gospel of Luke this morning, I’m wondering if our temptation not to share is actually from the evil one? I’m confident he wants to shut my wife up, which is extremely hard to do. He has a significant portion of Liberia right where he wants them, and at the same time, he has most of the American people right where he wants them as well. Have you ever noticed the majority of the poor and the rich are thousands of miles apart? He likes it this way, because it makes it that much easier for impoverished countries to continue to perish, and at the same time makes it much easier for the American people to get complacent and comfortable. Unless you live among the poor, it’s easy to forget how much need there is in this world. One of our biggest fears now is that when we get back to our wonderful home in Cartersville, that we will speak less about our brothers and sisters in need and focus more on what amazing things we have available for our entertainment and use.
In the two chapters, I was praying through this morning in Luke, I noticed Jesus commanding prayer 3 different times.

1)    “But watch at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that will take place, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)
2)    “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”- Luke 22:40
3)    “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” –Luke 22:46

It seems that Jesus’ weapon of choice was prayer, especially against temptation, and he selflessly passes down that information to us, so that we have the power of prayer to always call on the Holy Spirit to lead us.

My wife and I can get wrapped up in making friends, family, and facebook pals our god. We can base our decisions on what will please people, rather than what would glorify Jesus. Because at the end of the day, who doesn’t enjoy being accepted by many?

So, as our family battles being placed in the middle of living amongst the poorest people while having the resources and safety-net of America, please bear with our posts, petitions, and prayers. We truly do not mean to hurt or offend anyone by our stories or thoughts. We only want to help the people of Liberia and glorify God in the process. We understand we will fall short of that task, but our prayer is for the strength against the devil who would love to hear us shut up.

And thank you, thank you, thank you for being with us on this journey. Your constant encouragement and prayers do so much for us.