MOMENTARY PLEASURE!

We’ve all done it. We’ve all looked at a chance that seemed full of pleasure, promised a thrill and seemed just like the scratch for our itch. Even while putting the opportunity on the scales of consequences, we knew we were going to seek the pleasure, take the shortcut, cut the corner and eat of the forbidden fruit.

When we arrived at the Boys’ Prison on Tuesday, we were informed that six boys had escaped early Sunday morning. Out of those six young men, two were regulars at the weekly chapel service we help provide. What were they thinking?

That’s the problem. They weren’t thinking. At least, they weren’t thinking logically. What makes all of this even more maddening is that at least two of the young men only had about two weeks remaining on their initial sentences. Two weeks! We have since found out that the escape will cost all six of them an additional three to five years added on to their time. The authorities are serious in the Latvian justice system.

Why would they do it? The prison officials tell us that spring time always brings an increase of break-out attempts. I assume the combination of warm temperatures, boredom and the rising of the proverbial sap all played a part in this ill-fated adventure.

But realistically, aren’t we the same? It really doesn’t matter if it is food, drink, money, sex, possessions or power. Don’t we all make those decisions that are truly just not wise? Don’t we do things that later we just look back and moan, “What was I thinking?”

All six of these boys were quickly caught and are now back in segregation in the prison. The price of a few hours of freedom is steep: additional years added to their sentences; harsher treatment for the entire prison from the guards that have been reprimanded for letting this happen; increased security and surveillance for all that come and go.

Hopefully, most of us will not face the temptation to break out of prison. But, what will we face? Mid-life crisis? Illegal business deals? Sexual temptation? Get rich quick schemes? The list could go on and on. How do we deal with all of these?

How about going back to the words of the Word?

Proverbs 3: 5-6 says it best: Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

Those six boys are sitting in a prison cell wondering, “What was I thinking?”

I’m sitting here praying that God will help me to learn the lessons of the Proverbs so that maybe, just maybe, I can lessen my own times of moaning, “What was I thinking?”