Mud Puppies

I was reading Proverbs 26 this morning (because today's Jan. 26) and came across a familiar verse.

"As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool returns to his foolishness."

It made me think of how I know I'm supposed to do what's right, but I don't always do the right thing. I return to my "foolishness." It's a vicious cycle of facing a situation where I concieve this idea of what a "good Christian" would do, but it doesn't agree with what I "feel like." I admit, some days I'm at Burger King where they do it my way. I do what I want--whatever feels good to me. Now, being a place where God's Spirit lives, I sense conviction sooner or later. If I'm not careful, I let Satan accuse me and make me feel like a whipped dog.

A lot of Christians feel this way. Even (arguably) the most radical Christian in history, Paul, felt like a "miserable person" (Romans 7). We are stuck in the mud. We try everything in our power to get out. Why do we keep falling for this? Why do we keep doing that? Why can't we just stop it?

Even though God is holy and righteous and, basically, just too good for us and our foolishness, He wants to help. Jesus not only wants to pull us out, but He is willing to give us a clean plate-- another chance to do things right. God's not dissapointed. He's not shocked by our weakness. He wants to help. He can get us out of the mud.

I waited patiently for the Lord to help me,
and he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the pit of despair,
out of the mud and mire.
He set my feet on solid ground
and steadied me as I walked along.

Psalm 40: 1-2