Read: Hebrews 2:5-18

Have you ever struggled with temptation?  Have you ever struggled with trying to break a bad habit that you know is unhealthy?  Portia Nelson has written a very short and interesting piece entitled “Autobiography in Five Short Chapters.”  It reads like this;

Chapter 1 – I walk down the street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I fall in.  I am lost… I am helpless.  It isn’t my fault.  It takes forever to find a way out.
Chapter 2 – I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I pretend I don’t see it.  I fall in again.  I can’t believe I am in the same place, but it isn’t my fault.  It still takes a long time to get out.
Chapter 3 – I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I see it is there.  I still fall in… it’s a habit.  My eyes are open.  I know where I am.  It is my fault.  I get out immediately.
Chapter 4 – I walk down the same street.  There is a deep hole in the sidewalk.  I walk around it.  Chapter 5 – I walk down another street.

My guess is that many of us can relate with this autobiography.  There are times that we have been down that same street.  Times that we have failed to admit our fault, and times that we have made the choice to not avoid that street in the first place.  But as the old adage goes, we can learn from our mistakes.  Chapter 4 and 5 are a great example of that.  As followers of Jesus we can also be forgiven of our mistakes by the grace of Christ.

Make It Personal:  I’m not sure what street you have been down in your life or what street you struggle with, but I do know this:  Jesus Christ is the way out!  If you admit your mistake, your sin, or your giving into temptation, Jesus is there ready to forgive you.  Not only will Jesus forgive you and help you out of the deep hole, He can also help you resist that street, that habit, that temptation, in the future.  He knows what you’re going through.  In Hebrews 2:18 it says, “He himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.”  Call out to Jesus.  Help is on the way!

Have a blessed Thanksgiving,  Glen Rhodes