I managed to make it through my teenage years without attending one of those parties out in somebody’s field. I knew they happened, and I knew people who went to them, but I never had much interest. It seemed like somebody always ended up doing something stupid, and I had no desire to be part of it.
Then I graduated from high school, and somebody convinced me to go to one.
I should have listened to that little voice telling me to stay home.
I hadn’t been there long when I noticed a few guys who had apparently had too good of a time. They decided jumping over a bonfire would be a wonderful way to spend the evening. Then others decided to join in.
Now, I’ve never claimed to be the smartest person in the world, but I was smart enough to recognize that combining alcohol, fire, and people trying to impress each other probably wasn’t going to end well. I decided it was time to leave. I didn’t want to be the guy explaining to somebody’s parents, or worse, the police, what I’d just witnessed.
Unfortunately, somebody else had apparently decided the party needed a little more excitement. As I was leaving, a guy who’d had a few too many got behind the wheel and started spinning gravel everywhere. Including all over my vehicle. By the time I got home, I had a chipped hood and windshield to remind me of my evening.
That was my first and last party in a field.
I was mad, but mostly at myself. I’d had reservations about going in the first place. I knew it wasn’t an environment I wanted to be in, but I let somebody talk me into it anyway.
And all I had to show for it was damage to my vehicle.
Looking back, I realize that going to a party wasn’t inherently sinful, and I certainly wasn’t responsible for somebody else’s reckless behavior. But that night taught me something about listening to the warning signs instead of allowing somebody else to make a decision for me.
Sometimes we know better, but we talk ourselves into something anyway.
And sometimes the consequences follow us home.
The Things That Come After Us
This week, our church wrapped up its four-week series on the Lord’s Prayer. We finished with Matthew 6:13:
“And do not bring us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
Our pastor walked us through four things that stood out to me.
Temptation will come after us. Trials will come after us. The enemy will come after us. But Jesus has already come after us.
I love that last part, and we’ll get there.
First, though, we have to acknowledge something about ourselves that we don’t particularly enjoy admitting.
We’re not nearly as good at resisting temptation as we sometimes think.
James 1:13–15 explains that God doesn’t tempt us to sin. Instead, temptation begins when we’re drawn away by our own desires. Those desires, when we give in to them, can lead us into sin.
There’s a progression. Dare I say, a pattern.
We see something we want. We convince ourselves it would be good for us. We reach for it, and before long, we find ourselves somewhere we never intended to be.
That’s what happened in the Garden of Eden. The fruit looked desirable. That’s what happened with the Israelites and the golden calf. They wanted something they could see and worship. David saw Bathsheba from his rooftop, and a decision to pursue what he wanted led to consequences that affected multiple lives.
Different people. Different circumstances. The same basic problem. Something looks good, and we decide we want it badly enough to ignore what God has said.
Temptation has a way of making promises it can’t keep. It offers satisfaction, relief, excitement, or happiness, but it usually leaves us with something far less appealing.
It overpromises and underdelivers. It promises to fill that void but leaves us feeling empty.
And becoming a Christian doesn’t mean those desires magically disappear.
I have been a Christian now for forty years. I wish I could tell you that after following Jesus for that long, you simply outgrow temptation. You reach some spiritual milestone where nothing bothers you anymore, and the devil moves on to somebody else.
Wouldn’t that be nice? But that hasn’t been my experience.
I think everybody has an Achilles’ heel when it comes to temptations. Something that might not bother you in the least could be a real struggle for somebody else. And something you wrestle with might never cross my mind.
The temptations I face haven’t necessarily changed as I’ve gotten older. What has changed is my ability to recognize them and, hopefully, the way I respond. Lord knows I have seen the temptations over and over by now.
I’ve learned to pay more attention to the situations that make me vulnerable. For me, stress is a big one.
When I’m carrying a lot of responsibilities, when work is demanding, when the family calendar is packed, and when I feel like everybody needs something else from me, I can find myself looking for an escape.
Not necessarily something dramatic. Sometimes it’s simply wanting relief, wanting to shut my brain off, or wanting something that promises to make a difficult day feel easier. Sometimes it’s just escaping the “real world” for a minute.
And that’s when I have to be careful.
I’ve gotten better about telling Karen when I’m struggling. Sometimes I’ll tell her I’m stressed or that I need her to pray for me. I’ve learned that pretending everything is fine doesn’t make me stronger. The importance of overcommunicating in marriage is something we tell a lot of married couples in the classes we have led.
Following Jesus Doesn’t Make Life Easy
James 1:2–4 tells us to consider it joy when we face trials because the testing of our faith produces perseverance.
I’ve always found that passage challenging.
Nobody wakes up in the morning hoping for a good trial to build some character. At least I don’t. I’d prefer a peaceful day, a cooperative family calendar, no surprises at work, and maybe enough time to sit on the couch without somebody asking me to fix something.
But that’s not usually how life works.
Following Jesus is the best decision I’ve ever made. That doesn’t mean it’s always been the easiest.
I think back to when Karen and I first started dating. I was already a Christian, but she encouraged me to take my relationship with Jesus more seriously. She challenged me to grow, to deepen my walk, and to make my faith something more than a part of my life I visited on Sundays. To be the leader in our relationship that God called me to be.
And as I began changing, not everybody appreciated it.
There were people in my circle who weren’t particularly thrilled with what I was becoming. I wasn’t suddenly a different person in every respect, but my priorities were changing. Things that hadn’t bothered me before began bothering me. Some things I used to enjoy didn’t hold the same appeal.
When you’re trying to grow in your faith, it can be difficult when people around you would prefer that you stay exactly as you were.
But something interesting happened over time. Some of those same people eventually began deepening their own walks with Jesus.
I’m grateful for that.
It reminded me that following Christ doesn’t mean everybody will immediately understand the changes He’s making in us. Sometimes we simply have to keep walking faithfully and allow God to work in His timing. Trials look different for everybody. Some involve relationships. Others involve finances, health, disappointment, or circumstances we never saw coming.
And we don’t get to choose all of them.
First Corinthians 10:13 reminds us that God is faithful and will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can bear, but will provide a way to endure temptation. That doesn’t mean life will never become overwhelming or that every hardship has an easy escape route. It means we can trust God’s faithfulness when temptation comes.
We live in an imperfect world, and we’re going to experience difficult things. But our hope isn’t based on the idea that tomorrow will automatically be easier than today.
Our hope is in Jesus.
We talk a lot about wanting peace. We want peace in our homes, peace at work, peace in our relationships, and peace when we turn on the news and see what’s happening in the world.
But the peace we need most isn’t something we can purchase, schedule, or manufacture.
It’s found in a Person.
Jesus.
That doesn’t mean the problems disappear. It means we don’t have to face them without Him.
Don’t Forget There’s an Enemy
First Peter 5:8 warns us to be alert because our adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. That’s not exactly a comforting picture.
I’ve watched enough nature documentaries to know that a lion doesn’t usually announce its plans to the animal it’s hunting. It waits, watches, and looks for an opportunity. By the time the prey realizes what’s happening, it may be too late.
That’s the picture I try to help my children understand when we talk about spiritual temptation.
Be alert. Pay attention. Don’t assume that every choice is harmless just because it looks appealing. And do not underestimate the enemy. Now, I don’t think we need to spend our days looking for Satan behind every inconvenience. Sometimes a flat tire is just a flat tire, and sometimes a bad day is simply a bad day. Things happen. Life happens.
But Scripture is clear that spiritual opposition is real.
And I’ve noticed something in my own life. When I’m trying to do something meaningful for God, whether that’s teaching, writing, leading a Life Group, or trying to lead my family well, I need to be especially intentional about staying close to Him.
Stress and busyness can wear me down. When I’m exhausted, distracted, or trying to handle everything myself, I’m not always making my wisest decisions. That’s one reason I’ve become more willing to ask Karen to pray for me.
I don’t want to wait until I’ve made a mess of something before admitting that I need help.
I wrote a devotional plan called Calm in the Chaos for Manhood Journey and YouVersion, and one of the lessons I kept coming back to while writing it was that my family is going to lean on me. My wife and children need me to be steady. They need me to lead, to be present, and to help them navigate the things life throws our way.
But if they’re going to lean on me, I have to lean on Jesus.
I can’t give them strength that I don’t have.
And I can’t lead them toward a Savior I’m not making time to follow myself.
Stay in His Shadow
There’s a verse in Psalm 91 that has meant a great deal to me over the years.
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” — Psalm 91:1 (NKJV)
Whenever I read that verse, I remember something that happened when my children were little.
We were out walking one day, and they were staying close to me. At some point, they noticed something interesting about our shadows.
They had gotten so close that their shadows disappeared into mine.
“Look Daddy, all I see is you. I disappeared.”
They thought that was pretty neat.
I did, too, but for a different reason.
Because suddenly, Psalm 91:1 made more sense to me than it ever had before.
My children weren’t trying to teach me a spiritual lesson. They weren’t thinking about temptation, trials, or the protection of God. They were simply walking close to their daddy, and they noticed that when they got close enough, all they could see was his shadow.
They had disappeared into it. I’ve thought about that moment many times since then. That’s where I want to be in my relationship with God.
I want to stay so close to Him that I’m dwelling in His shadow. I want His presence to be so much a part of my life that when temptation comes, when trials arrive, and when the enemy tries to get my attention, I’m not scrambling around trying to figure out where God is.
I’m already walking with Him.
My children didn’t have to do anything complicated to find themselves in my shadow.
They just stayed close.
Now, staying in God’s shadow doesn’t mean nothing bad will ever happen to us. Christians still experience sickness, grief, disappointment, and hardship. Jesus Himself told His followers that they would have trouble in this world.
But we don’t have to face that trouble alone. And that’s the part of Matthew 6:13 I don’t want us to miss. Jesus didn’t simply teach us to ask God to keep temptation away. He taught us to ask for deliverance. We’re acknowledging that we need help. We’re recognizing that our own strength isn’t enough, and we’re placing our trust in the One who has already overcome what we cannot overcome by ourselves.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, Jesus responded with Scripture. He knew the Word of God, and He stood firm when the enemy tried to persuade Him to take another path.
Hebrews 4:15 reminds us that Jesus was tempted as we are, yet without sin.
He understands what it means to face temptation. He understands what it means to suffer. And He overcame.
The cross wasn’t the end of His story.
The tomb is empty.
That’s why I love the final point from Sunday’s sermon.
Temptation will come after you. Trials will come after you. The enemy will come after you.
But Jesus already came after you.
He came into this world knowing exactly what it would cost Him. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t live, gave Himself on the cross for our sins, and rose again.
The enemy doesn’t get the final word.
Jesus does.
And because of Him, we don’t have to fight our battles alone.
Four Weeks, One Prayer
As I sit here thinking about the last four weeks, I realize this series has done more than give me something to write about every Tuesday. It’s changed something about the way I pray.
We began with the words, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name.”
I’ve prayed the Lord’s Prayer more times than I could possibly count. I learned it years ago, and the words have been familiar for most of my life. But familiar words can sometimes become words we say without thinking about what they mean. Over these four weeks, I’ve found myself making a conscious effort to begin my prayers differently.
Before I start telling God what I need, what I’m worried about, or what I’d like Him to do, I try to stop and acknowledge who He is.
He’s my Father.
He’s holy.
He’s worthy of my praise whether the day has gone exactly as I hoped or absolutely nothing has worked out the way I planned.
Then I can surrender my plans to His will. I can ask Him for what I need today. I can seek His forgiveness and ask Him to help me forgive others. And I can trust Him to protect and guide me through whatever tomorrow brings. That’s what Jesus was teaching us all along.
The Lord’s Prayer isn’t simply a collection of familiar words we’re supposed to memorize and repeat. It’s a reminder of how desperately we need our Father. And perhaps that’s the greatest lesson I’ve learned through this series.
I don’t have to have everything figured out. I don’t have to be strong enough to handle every temptation, solve every problem, or protect my family from everything this world might throw at them. I have to keep walking with Jesus. Because when the pressures of life come after me, I want to remember what my children discovered on that walk years ago.
The closer they got to their daddy, the less they could see of themselves.
That’s how I want to live.
Close enough to my heavenly Father that His presence shapes everything I do. Close enough to trust Him when the path gets difficult. Close enough to recognize His voice when something else is calling for my attention.
And close enough to stay in His shadow.
Looking Ahead to Christmas
Speaking of staying close to Jesus, Christmas is just around the corner!
My newest book, Waiting for the King: An Advent Journey Through the Songs of Christmas, is now available on Amazon.
It’s a collection of 25 daily devotionals designed to help you slow down during the busiest season of the year, reflect on the familiar songs of Christmas, and keep your focus on the One we’re celebrating.
Whether you’re reading on your own or gathering around the table with your family, I’d love for you to join me on this Advent journey.
Get Waiting for the King on Amazon
Live It
This week, pay attention to the situations that leave you most vulnerable to temptation. Is it stress? Exhaustion? Pride? Loneliness? The desire to control things that are outside your control?
Don’t wait until you’re struggling to ask God for help.
Spend time in Scripture, and consider choosing a verse you can return to when temptation comes. If there’s someone you trust who can pray with you and encourage you, be willing to let that person know when you need support.
And as you pray this week, begin by acknowledging who God is before bringing Him your requests. Take a moment to honor Him as holy and thank Him for His faithfulness.
The goal isn’t to become so strong that you no longer need God. It’s to grow so close to Him that depending on Him becomes your first response instead of your last resort.
Go Deeper
Read Matthew 6:9–13. How has your understanding of the Lord’s Prayer changed as you’ve considered each part of it?
James 1:13–15 describes the progression from desire to sin. Where do you most often recognize that progression beginning in your own life?
What circumstances make you most vulnerable to temptation? How can you prepare for those moments before they arrive?
Read James 1:2–4. How has God used a difficult season to strengthen your faith, even when you couldn’t recognize it at the time?
First Peter 5:8 calls believers to be alert. What does spiritual vigilance look like in your everyday routine?
Read Psalm 91:1. What does it mean to dwell in the shadow of the Almighty? What habits help you stay close to God?
Jesus responded to temptation with Scripture in Matthew 4:1–11. What verses could you memorize or revisit when you’re struggling?
As you look back over the Lord’s Prayer, which part challenges you the most: surrendering to God’s will, depending on Him daily, extending forgiveness, or asking for protection?
Dinner Table Devotional
Read: Matthew 6:13 and Psalm 91:1
Talk About It:
Have you ever stood close enough to somebody that your shadow disappeared into theirs? What did you notice?
Why do you think the Bible describes God as someone whose shadow we can dwell in?
What are some things that tempt us to make choices we know aren’t right?
How did Jesus respond when Satan tempted Him in the wilderness?
Why is it important to ask God for help instead of trying to handle every problem by ourselves?
What is one way our family can help each other stay close to Jesus this week?
Pray Together:
Heavenly Father, You are holy, loving, and faithful. Thank You for caring for us and for giving us Jesus, who understands our struggles and has overcome sin and death. Help us recognize temptation and make choices that honor You. When life becomes difficult, remind us that we don’t have to face it alone. Protect our family, strengthen our faith, and teach us to stay close to You every day. Help us live in Your shadow, trusting Your wisdom and following Your lead. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Coming Next Tuesday to Grit & Wit: Because You’re Tough
Sometimes the smallest moments in fatherhood leave the biggest impressions.
A couple of weeks ago, I was grilling hamburgers when my nine-year-old son, Grayson, said something that left me speechless. If you know me, you understand how rare that is!
What started as a joke beside the grill turned into a reminder about being a dad, the strength our children see in us, and the Rock we depend on when our own strength isn’t enough.
Next Tuesday, I’ll share that story, along with a little encouragement for dads who sometimes wonder if they’re getting this fatherhood thing right.
And as a bonus, I’m sharing my famous hamburger recipe! Grayson calls them GABs (Goated Amazing Burgers). Brighton insists BTY (Better Than Yours) is a better name.
I’ll let you decide who’s right.
See you next Tuesday!