March 12
Choosing
a Better Path
"My son, if sinful men tempt you, don’t give in to them."
Proverbs 1:10 (NIrV)
Jack’s weekends had become predictable. His friends would call on Friday night, ready to hit the bars. They’d meet at their usual spot, where the conversations were laced with swearing, the drinks flowed freely, and their boasts about conquests with women filled the air. Jack laughed along, trying to blend in, but deep down, he felt hollow.
Lately, something had shifted inside him. He couldn’t shake the sense that there had to be more to life than this endless cycle of partying and shallow relationships. The joy he once pretended to feel felt more like a mask he was desperate to remove.
One night, after another exhausting evening, Jack came home and slumped onto his couch. His gaze wandered around his apartment and landed on an old family heirloom: a tattered Bible sitting on the bookshelf. It had belonged to his great-grandfather, passed down through the generations as a symbol of faith in their family. Jack’s mother had handed it to him before he moved out on his own, urging him to “keep it close.”
Dust had gathered on the cover, and the once-golden lettering had faded. Jack hadn’t opened it in years, but something inside him stirred. He pulled the Bible from the shelf and flipped through its fragile pages. A handwritten note from his great-grandfather fell out, reading: “God’s Word will guide you when the world seems loud. Trust Him.”
Jack’s heart ached as he read those words. He wondered what his great-grandfather would think of his life. He kept turning the pages until his eyes landed on Proverbs 1:10: “My son, if sinful men tempt you, don’t give in to them.”
The verse pierced his heart. He thought of his friends—their lives seemed fun and carefree on the surface, but he knew the emptiness they carried. Jack couldn’t deny the truth any longer: their influence was pulling him further from the life he wanted, the life his family’s faith had pointed to for generations.
The next weekend, Jack hesitated when his phone buzzed with the usual plans. He picked it up, staring at the names of the people he called friends. But instead of responding, he put the phone down and prayed. It was a simple, clumsy prayer: “God, if You’re real, show me a better way. Help me make better choices.”
The silence felt heavy, but then a thought entered his mind—a memory of an old coworker, Evan, who had once invited Jack to his church. Jack had laughed it off back then, but now, he felt compelled to text Evan.
Evan’s response was immediate and warm. “We’ve got a men’s group meeting tomorrow. Come by.”
That evening changed everything for Jack. The men in the group were different—they were honest about their struggles, but their lives reflected peace and purpose. Over time, Jack realized that his desire to belong didn’t have to lead him down destructive paths. He could find real connection and joy in living a life that honored God.
Letting go of his old habits and friends wasn’t easy, but Jack clung to the promise in Proverbs 1:10. Each step away from temptation was a step toward freedom and a fuller life.
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the wisdom of Your Word that guides us away from temptation and toward You.
Thank You for the legacy of faith passed down through generations that reminds us of Your steadfast love.
Help us to recognize the influences in our lives that lead us astray and give us the strength to walk away.
May we honor those who came before us by living lives that glorify You.
In Jesus' name, Amen.
