This past Wednesday after work Vicki had a few errands to run in Sioux Falls. At one of her stops at Wal-Mart on Louise she set her phone down, and after becoming distracted she continued about her shopping. Then, while checking out after 40 minutes of shopping, Vicki realized her phone was missing. Remembering where she had set her phone down, Vicki immediately went to see if it was still there. It was gone!
She turned and headed straight for the customer service counter, hoping some very kind, compassionate, and honest person had turned it in. But no such luck!
Well, after she had given the store clerk my phone number just in case, Vicki began to pray that whoever had her phone would come under deep conviction and would return it. Vicki then headed for home fearfully thinking all of her pictures were gone forever. And then God answered her prayer, at 6:11 I received a phone call that someone had turned her phone in. YEA!!!!
Now here was the real hook for me about her adventure. I really have no idea, but I wonder what was going through the person’s mind from the time they picked Vicki’s phone up until the time they returned it. See, although the distance from where Vicki had left her phone to where the customer service counter is, was only a one minute walk, and yet at minimum, the person would’ve had her phone in their possession for at least one hour.
I pondered, was the person being tormented while thinking about stealing it as she walked around with it. (Thankfully Vicki had a security lock in place so the person couldn’t open the phone). Did that person spend that time thinking about who she knew who could figure out the security code? Or maybe, did the person innocently put the phone in her purse and then did her shopping before she turned it in. I just couldn’t help but wonder all the thoughts that went through this person’s mind as she walked around with a phone that didn’t belong to her—was she being tormented about whether or not she would do the right thing.
And then I began to reflect, I’ve been in situations like that—situations where I had plenty of time to decide if I would do the right thing or not; times when I was being tormented of whether or not I would keep what I had stolen. I’ve had those tormenting times when I wondered whether or not I should click on the computer mouse. Not to mention, I’ve had those times when someone entrusted with me with some private information, but because it was so significant, I felt tormented because I wanted to share it with someone.
How about you? Remember the times you felt tormented in those moments when you were trying to decide whether or not you were going to do the right thing.
And then I began to think about all of those who were tormented in their thoughts about whether or not they would do the right thing during Holy Week. I think about Judas and all the tormenting time he spent thinking about, and looking for, the perfect moment when he would betray Jesus. I think about Jesus being tormented in the Garden of Gethsemane of whether or not he would drink the cup of suffering. I think about Peter when he was accused of being a disciple of Jesus. I think about Pilate as he was being tormented over whether or not he should have Jesus crucified. I think of the soldiers who tormented Jesus; were they ever tormented in their spirit of whether or not they were doing the right thing.
Well the good news for all of us, even though he endured great torment and suffering, Jesus chose to do the right thing. Which of course is a great reminder, the best choice when being tormented about deciding between good and evil, be like the person in Wal-Mart—be like Jesus—choose the right thing. And hopefully someone will be praying for you when you’re wavering.
Because He chose the right thing – I have my life back!
Mike Altena