A Poisoned Apple

"Bless Adonai, my soul! Everything in me, bless his holy name! Bless Adonai, my soul, and forget none of his benefits! He forgives all your offenses, he heals all your diseases, he redeems your life from the pit, he surrounds you with grace and compassion, he contents you with good as long as you live, so that your youth is renewed like an eagle's." -Psalm 103:1-2

Once upon a time, there was a fair maiden. Her step-mother was jealous of her, so she tried to have her killed. The maiden fled into the woods to escape death and took up residence with some hospitable dwarfs. After the step-mother found out that the maiden was still alive, she disguised herself and offered the maiden a poisoned apple. She promised the young lady that all her dreams would come true if she would but take a bite. The maiden insisted it wasn't a good idea to be having an interlude with a stranger (as she knew that someone was seeking her death), but took a bite anyway because she was too easily deceived. The poisoned apple took effect and the maiden died. However, with True Love's kiss, she awoke and lived happily ever after.

How many of you think I just told the story of Snow White? You're wrong, because according to my son, this is the story of Eve and the Serpent in the Garden of Eden. I also just told the story of how Jesus awakens us from our spirit's death with His True Love. He shall indeed ride into the wild woodlands of our life and shake the sleep from our souls and carry us into Eternity with Him. The story of the evil step-mother tricking the maiden with the poisoned apple was not a tragedy so much as it was a springboard setting the stage for a redemptive love story. (Genesis 3)

With so many good things to eat, I hardly think of all the terrible things I should not eat. I enjoy eating eggs, but I am not tempted to eat the fork along with them. With all the wonderful things God has created for our pleasure, why are we tempted to indulge in things that will only harm us? Each and every temptation is like a shiny, beautiful apple....but it's a wolf in sheep's clothing, because it's poisoned.

"How blessed is the man who perseveres through temptation! For after he has passed the test, he will receive as his crown the Life which God has promised to those who love him. No one being tempted should say,'I am being tempted by God.' For God cannot be tempted by evil, and God himself tempts no one. Rather, each person is being tempted whenever he is being dragged off and enticed by the bait of his own desire." -James 1:12-14

Enjoy what God has given you. Be careful to only desire what He desires and to test every spirit; for the enemy's time is short and he is very jealous and is seeking you out to destroy you. But behold! Though we are sinners, Christ has overcome death and He longs to share that inheritance of eternal life in Paradise with you! What was lost in Eden will be redeemed by True Love's Kiss. After this journey, we shall be swept away to live happily ever after.

The End