From The Reverend Joseph A.

Darby’s Desk
~ MID-WEEK MEDITATION ~
Based on Hebrews 12:1-3
I’m writing this week’s Meditation after a trip to the grocery store to pick up a dozen eggs and a loaf of
bread. My doing so reminded me that it’s wise not to shop for groceries when you’re hungry!

The eggs and bread were in the back of the store and were placed on opposite ends of the store. I had
to walk past more than a few tempting and tasty items - some of which were on sale and displayed at the end
of the aisles - walk past other items that I might have forgotten to add to my shopping list and walk through
the deli and bakery sections, where obviously delicious things were subtly and temptingly saying, “Hey, buy
me!”

Most grocery stores intentionally place basic items in the back of the store so that shoppers have to walk
past tempting things, act on a “whim” and buy more than they intended to buy, but I was a “man on a mission”
- I left the store with only the eggs and bread that I intended to buy - I resisted the temptation to do otherwise.

Remember my “grocery quest” as you face a world that offers both wholesome and unwholesome
choices. We all understandably desire and pursue prosperity, success and well being, but we also have to
confront and deal with enticing and appealing things and people who subtly call out to us, offer us tempting
“short cuts” and lead us astray.

We’d do well, in the Season of Lent, to remember the Jesus who was both divine and human - the Jesus
who faced all that we face in life and could have easily been enticed to play this world’s games and accept what
passes for comfort, power, privilege and success in this world.

Jesus didn’t do that. Jesus focused on His divine mission, gave His life on the cross as the price of our
sins and then arose three days later with His mission accomplished, with his goal achieved and with all power
in His hands.

Walk in the footsteps of Jesus, keep your eyes on Jesus and resist the enticing temptations that you’ll
encounter in this world. You’ll find new fulfillment and assurance, experience authentic joy and enduring
strength, make a positive difference in the lives of others and successfully walk the “aisles” of life in this world,
saying with a familiar Spiritual, “I’ve decided to make Jesus my choice.”

Get Ready for Sunday, and have a blessed day in your House of Worship!
You’re also welcome to join us for Worship at Nichols Chapel AME Church, 57 Kennedy Street, Charleston,
South Carolina on Sundays at 10:30 am – where we do praise the Lord!