Beauty vs. Discretion

Rode the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes one evening last after work. It starts just north of Plummer, ID, and runs roughly to the east to Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Beauty won over discretion. I should have turned around 3 miles sooner, but I saw the water through the trees. Then when I got to the lake, I saw the bridge ... So I had to cross the bridge, right? Then I turned around for the 9 mile uphill return, after sunset. Riding on a mountain trail through the forest after sunset is not wise ... But it was worth it, & dark when I got back to the truck.

I have often observed such a pattern in my life that something alluring affects my better judgment. I suspect I am not alone.


How often does beauty allure us and impair our judgment? 
Men and women are allured by different things, but we are all enticed by something. One of my sons responded that he likes to go after shining, pretty things. 


Maybe it's adventure, skirts (chasing after women), toys (new cars, better tools, bigger house, better stuff), identity (in jobs or possessions or relationships), marriage (a wife or husband will fix what is wrong with me, then I can fix them), security (in marriage or job or a new home), comfort (easy chairs, vacations, retirement, more and nicer stuff, ...), fresh starts (the grass is always greener ...), and on and on.


Though nothing is inherently wrong with many of these things, they become idols when we choose to pursue them   rather than God. In the midst of such a pursuit, our discernment is clouded and our judgment is impaired. 


We need people we trust who will speak into our lives to help call us back from the brink (of stupidity and self-destruction). Though we may know what is right and good, the allure is stronger. We need someone to be strong for us when we are weak. Though Jesus is ultimately the Strong One, the Father places us in families, and in community with believers and churches that we may reflect His strength in our relationships with one another. Our Christian life is not meant to be walked in isolation.