Friday, August, 16, 2013

By: Rachelle Hitt Bilbo

Is a "Peanut-Butter Sandwich" Worth It?

Titus 2:7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity...

When my niece was a baby, we discovered that she has a peanut allergy. In an effort to determine if she had out-grown the allergy, she was given a tiny amount of peanut butter in the doctor's office when she turned 3-years-old. Almost immediately, her throat began to close, her face began to swell, and a rash broke out.

Upon learning the severity of what peanut butter can do to my precious niece, ALL of our lives were changed. Even at our house, we keep peanut butter out of her reach, and we read the ingredients of every product we offer to her. It's not enough to withhold food items that contain peanut butter from her. Our entire family has to ensure that the food items she consumes have not been produced in a factory that produces items with peanuts. A tiny trace of peanuts could be fatal!

After physically seeing what peanuts do to her, it is EASY for our family to create a peanut-free environment.

However, many times, we ignore the spiritual significance of activities or habits that could be spiritually (and even physically) life-threatening to those we love. Maybe the effects are not as visible as a rash and a swollen face, but nonetheless, we have to be observant, diligent and WILLING to make modifications for our loved ones.

I was very impressed to learn that my son's new preschool is a peanut-free school. While this is frustrating to parents that do not have a child with this allergy, it means so much to those that have a loved one who could be so devastatingly affected by something as simple as a peanut.

Considering others in all you do may not be "convenient" but is food, drink or particular activities really worth someone's life? Romans 14:20-21 encourages all believers in this manner, "Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble."

I challenge you to consider whether your actions cause others to stumble or encourage others in their relationship with the Lord. I further challenge you to identify your weaknesses and to eliminate anything that may be deadly to your spiritual walk. What you choose to expose yourself and those you love to is critical.

Dear Lord, Thank You for making available to me the things that are good for me and will strengthen my relationship with You. Help me to always do the same for those You have entrusted me with.

I thank You, my Jesus, for dying for me. I believe that You are Lord and that God raised You from the grave so that I can have eternal life.