Blessed are the ones who endures temptation, because having been approved, they will receive the crown of life that is promised to those who love God.-James 1:12
It is tempting right now to want to break the rules, to go out and be with one another whom we truly miss. It is hard not to take an extra trip to the grocery store for the thing we want, even if we can get by without it. Groceries are necessities, right? Maybe it is hard not to hoard because it helps calm our uncertainties. Maybe TP is not what we need, but having it means we can control one part of our fears right now, even if others remain. It is hard to resist a lot of temptations that tell us we should just keep living life, even if it could mean taking lives. And honestly, we stink at resisting temptation.
James reminds us, in a very literal sense right now, that avoiding temptation results in life. Often, when faced with temptation, we succumb because, “It is no big deal.” But right now, for many, what we do is life or death for them. It matters because many have risk factors, underlying conditions, age, or other determinants that could cause death. While we are stubborn, would we pull the trigger on a grandmother, a friend with diabetes, or a child with an immune disease? Would we look at those walking by and say, “Your life doesn’t matter?” Of course not! Why then would we be willing to needlessly spread illness to our community whom we love?
It is tempting, but stay home. Resist temptation! And you and those you love will receive the blessed crown of life.