August 28
The Wrong
Way In
"The Lord hates these six things. In fact, he hates seven things. The Lord hates proud eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that kill those who aren’t guilty.
He also hates hearts that make evil plans, feet that are quick to do evil, any witness who pours out lies, and anyone who stirs up conflict in the community."
Proverbs 6:16-19 (NIrV)
Joey and William sat on the curb outside a gas station, watching car after car roll by, packed with excited festival-goers. The air buzzed with anticipation—people draped in band merch, the scent of fried food drifting from vendor stalls, and the distant thump of bass from the main stage. This was the event of the summer, and they weren’t going to miss it.
There was just one problem—they had no tickets.
“Man, I told you we should’ve gotten jobs,” Joey grumbled, kicking at the gravel.
William smirked. “Relax. We’ll get in.” He pulled out his phone, scrolling through a festival map he’d found online. “There’s a weak spot in the fence near the back. Hardly any security. We climb over, and boom—we’re in.”
Joey hesitated. He wanted to see his favorite bands, but sneaking in? It didn’t sit right with him. “I don’t know, man. What if we get caught?”
William rolled his eyes. “Then we run. Don’t chicken out now. You wanted this, right?”
Joey sighed. Yeah, he wanted this. More than anything. And besides, it wasn’t like they were stealing money—just a bit of fun, right?
As night fell, they made their way around the outskirts of the festival. The music was louder now, pulsing through the air, making their hearts race. Just as William had said, the fence at the back had a loose section. A couple of other guys were already there, slipping through like shadows.
William went first, gripping the chain-link and pulling himself over. Joey followed, his hands sweating as he climbed. His feet hit the ground, and for a moment, excitement surged in his chest. They’d done it!
But before he could celebrate, a powerful beam of light flooded over them. “Hey! You two—stop right there!” A security guard’s voice cut through the night.
Panic hit Joey like a slap. William bolted, disappearing into the crowd, but Joey’s legs wouldn’t move. Another guard grabbed his arm, and the weight of what he had done crashed down on him. Shame flooded his stomach.
They were taken to a small security tent, where the guards lectured them about trespassing. Joey’s face burned as he realized how foolish they had been. They weren’t clever or rebellious—they were just two lazy guys trying to cheat their way into something they didn’t deserve.
As they were escorted off the premises, Joey glanced at the festival gates, watching real ticket-holders walk in freely, their faces glowing with joy. He’d taken the wrong way in, and now, he wasn’t getting in at all.
That night, lying in bed, he pulled out his phone and looked up a verse his Uncle used to quote. Proverbs 6:16-19. His heart sank as he read about how God detests lying, scheming, and rushing into wrongdoing. He had done all of that in one night.
For the first time in a long time, Joey whispered a prayer. “God, I messed up. I don’t want to live like this anymore. Help me do things the right way.”
As he closed his eyes, a thought struck him—next summer, he’d earn his way in. No more shortcuts.
Prayer:
Sometimes, we try to take shortcuts in life, choosing dishonesty and laziness over hard work and integrity.
Forgive us when we make choices that dishonor You.
Teach us to be patient, to work hard, and to trust that what is gained honestly is far better than anything we try to take for ourselves.
Help us resist temptation and choose the right path, even when it’s difficult.
Thank You for Your mercy and the lessons You teach us through our mistakes.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
