August 12
The Choice
That Changed Everything
"You are tempted in the same way all other human beings are. God is faithful. He will not let you be tempted any more than you can take. But when you are tempted, he will give you a way out so that you can stand up under it."
1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIrV)
The air was thick with salt and smoke, the summer breeze doing little to clear the haze that hung over the beach. A fire crackled in the sand, casting flickering shadows over the group of teenagers sprawled across old towels and driftwood. Jimmy sat on the edge, watching, listening, trying to belong.
He hadn’t known these guys long—just met them a few weeks ago when he started hanging around the skate park. They were cool, older, the kind of guys who didn’t care about school or parents or rules. They laughed loudly, moved freely, like nothing in the world could touch them. And Jimmy wanted to be part of that.
A joint passed from hand to hand, slow and casual, like it was nothing. Just another way to enjoy the night. When it reached Jimmy, the guy next to him nudged him with an easy grin.
“Go on, man. It’s just a little hit. Don’t be weird.”
Jimmy’s stomach tightened. He felt every eye on him. The expectation. The unspoken rule: If you’re with us, you do what we do.
His hands were sweaty. His heart pounded.
He didn’t want to seem weak.
He took it. Inhaled. Coughed so hard his eyes watered. Laughter erupted around him, friendly slaps on the back. He forced a grin, even as his head swam, even as something deep inside twisted with regret.
That night, he stumbled home feeling sick, his mind a tangled mess of shame and dizziness. Lying in bed, he stared at the ceiling, his throat dry, his chest heavy. He had always told himself he wouldn’t be that guy. Wouldn’t be the one who gave in.
But he had.
And for what? To impress a group of guys who barely knew his name? To feel like he belonged for a few minutes?
A verse his Aunt used to say popped into his mind, uninvited but clear: God will give you a way out.
He had ignored the way out. But was it too late to take it now?
The next day, when the messages came—Same spot tonight?—Jimmy hesitated. Then, for the first time, he said no.
They laughed, called him soft, told him he was missing out. But as he put his phone down, he felt something he hadn’t felt in a long time.
Peace.
He had made a choice. The right one.
Prayer:
Lord, temptation comes in so many forms, and sometimes, I feel too weak to resist.
But I know You are faithful, and You always provide a way out.
Give me the strength to take it. Help me choose what is right, even when it’s hard.
Let me find my worth in You, not in the approval of others.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
