Pick a first…any first in your life that you can remember from the time that you could….well, remember.
You’re first kiss. The first time you held hands with a crush. The first time your heart was broken. You’re first roller coaster ride or plane trip. The first time you “knew” what you wanted to be when you grew up. The first time you got humiliated, or bullied, got detention or even the paddle at school. Your first team win, or loss. A realized dream come true, or a dream crushed.
I remember the first time I got caught singing by a total stranger. I was walking home from the store and I sang the words, “baby, baby, don’t get hooked on me, cause I’ll just use you, then I’ll set you freeeeeee, baby, baby, don’t get hooked on me.” The song was by Mac Davis. Ironically, he also sang the song, “Oh Lord, it’s hard to be humble, when you’re perfect in every way.” I digress. When I finished singing, this guy passed me, turned around, looked at me and smiled. I was a bit taken back that someone had heard me. For whatever reasons, I liked these songs…very self-absorbed songs.
I remember saying on more than one occasion growing up, life was too short to be unhappy, and if I ever got married and it wasn’t fun, I wouldn’t stick around. Yep, I made that all about me! I also said “people weren’t made to stay married for 50 years!!” “Back in the day before medical advances, people got sick and died or were killed, and the widower remarried.” As you can tell, I didn’t have any relationship role models.
This leads me to the first I never thought I would have. I most certainly never uttered the words,”I can’t wait to grow up and cheat on my spouse.” And yet, I did. It’s a first I will never forget. I never dreamt of divorce, I dreamt of marriage. I did both. Firsts, I’ll never forget.
I wonder if the woman who was brought to Jesus to be stoned for her sin of adultery actually did as He said…”go, and sin no more.” I wonder what she must have looked like from the inside out. What mess in her life brought her to commit adultery? How she justified the act in her mind. I wonder if she considered herself fortunate to escape her punishment? Knowing that women thousands of years ago committed the same act as we…I did…sure hasn’t stopped history from repeating itself. I dare say, sexual immorality runneth amok!!
It would appear instead of adultery being frowned upon, it’s glamorized in tv shows, movies, reality shows, books, etc. I can look back and remember my favorite soap operas being all the talk about who was cheating with who. Or is that whom? To be honest, I’m glad most of them are now off the air. I stopped watching them, years ago.
The tragic part of all this glamorization of adulterous living is in real life… getting cheated on hurts. Truth be told, there is no victory in this tangled mess. I can tell you from personal experience that no good comes from committing adultery. Eventually, there is a price to be paid. Your conscience will catch up with you, and you will never forget those firsts.
You can no doubt go back through your mind and pick out all kinds of happy and sad “firsts.” Hopefully, you have more smiles than tears. But whichever that may be, today is a new day that can be filled with firsts. You’re here, life is not over!! You’re story is not over, it’s just beginning.
And just like the adulterous woman, you too can come to Jesus, repent of your sin, be forgiven as far as the east is to the west, (because God is just that awesome) and with God’s help, “sin no more.” But….what devastation did you leave in the wake of your lust? No sin goes unpunished. Someone will suffer. There are consequences to every choice we make. What choice are you making? More importantly, who are you making it for and what will it look like when the choice has been made and the action completed?
Some of the hardest lessons learned come from being all about self. I’ll never forget the first time someone told me, “everything in life is not about you. “ It was like I just got slapped upside my head. So this is me, paying that forward. Consider this your slap upside the head if you’re living life all about you. Wake up!! Life is not about you. It has never, nor will it ever be about you. It’s about the One who gave His life for you, the One who suffered and died for your sins. Get over yourself already and start living for an eternal life.
“Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” ~~Matthew 16:24-26 (The Message)
“What could you ever trade your soul for?” Think about it. Where will you be spending eternity?
Blessed to be Broken 
Ohhh thank you for the slap upside the head. lol…on a serious note though, I did need this reminder. I was having an off day yesterday and your post reminded me it was because I was just too focused on myself. Today is a new days ❤ Glad a read your blog this morning sweet friend!
Awww!! I’m so glad you stopped by Tara!! I found I was a little too focused on self the day I wrote this and needed the reminder as well. Fixing our eyes and thoughts on Him sure can make a big difference in the day He’s provided. Hugs to you!!!