TRAP
Today's reading: Matthew 16-18

"Jesus turned to Peter and said, Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, and not from God's." Matthew 16:23 NLT

Trap-a device for taking game or other animals; one that holds by springing shut suddenly; something by which one is caught or stopped unawares.

Oh, how I'd love to use this verse and what God has opened my eyes to in regards to the people around me. The ones who are less than helpful to my faith. The folks who fail to help me grow. The ones who feed the weeds in my heart that tend to choke out the faith I have.

But I can't.

Why? Because of this simple fact: I am desperate not to become someone else's trap.

I don't want to advise them based upon earthly rules, when I know God is master over all.

I don't want to counsel them in ways that are comfortable, usual or traditional, when I know God surpasses all those things and does His works miraculously.

I don't want to dash any hope another might have because my own faith is wavering, faulty or non-existent.

I don't want to cause another to think small when we serve a huge God.

I don't want to be the kind of Christian who bursts another's bubble of faith.

Sure, I'd like to apply this to the people who minister to me-but that's not who God is speaking to or about this morning.

I don't want to be a trap.