BBD 09.23.05 A Radical Choice
Posted by: wrather <wrather@...>
make this transition and during this time the old website will remain at the
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The Burning Bush Devotional
1,765 New Subscribers since November 2004
09.23.05
A Radical Choice
(Originally sent 05.05.03)
You have heard that it was said to those of old, "You shall not commit
adultery. But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has
already committed adultery with her in his heart. If your right eye causes
you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for
you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast
into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it
from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish,
than for your whole body to be cast into hell. - Matthew 5:27-30.
Aron Ralston is a mountain climber who has faced adversity in the past. Just
a few months before his latest test from nature he survived an avalanche
that buried him and two friends on a Colorado mountain. Aron on a Saturday
went hiking into Blue John Canyon in Shadowlands National Park in Utah. As
Aron was descending into the canyon an 800 to 1000 pound boulder fell
crushing his arm and pinning him. By Tuesday he had run out of water and on
Thursday he decided the only way to escape was to amputate his own arm. Aron
cut off his arm below the elbow with a pocketknife. He than rappelled down a
cliff and walked a few miles before flagging down a vacationing Dutch couple
who called for help. Aron is expected to recover from his ordeal. Sgt Mitch
Vetere of the Emery County Sheriff's Office in Green River, Utah said, "He's
pretty darn tough. He wanted to live. He saved himself."
Jesus talks of cutting off your hand or plucking out your eye if they cause
you to succumb to temptation. Most commentators do not believe Jesus was
speaking in literal terms. Most Christians and churches have not interpreted
this as being literal either because we do not have eye plucking services or
right hand removal services. But Jesus in these vivid statements relates
very powerfully the need to protect ourselves from the ravages of sin even
when there is great personal cost involved.
Aron Ralston did save his life but it was at a great cost. However, it was
the only choice Aron could see that he had if he wanted to continue living.
If you are addicted to the use of illegal substances it may be that to save
your life you will have to make a radical choice. You may need to ask
someone to help you and then enter a treatment program for a substantial
length of time. To do such a thing may be like cutting off your arm but if
you want to have life it must be done. If you have other addictions the only
way to be free of them will be through a radical change in your life. It
just depends on whether or not you want to really have life or just go
through the motions of living.
If you decide that you are going to make that radical change in your life
you will not be alone. Jesus will be with you and will empower you to make
the right choices that are needed. As the apostle Paul said, "I can do all
things through Christ who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13)." Through the
power of God you will be able to make the radical decisions and changes
necessary to be free of your addiction. Aron Ralston wanted to live - do
you?
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