“Flee also youthful lusts; but follow righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart.” 2 Timothy 2:22
“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Proverbs 1:10
Our weekly Christian devotional
“He’s hot…and he’s checking you out! Go talk to him.” Jenny playfully nudges me.
The muscle bound guy with the Indiana University baseball cap was more than cute. But, the muggy weather and packed bar wasn’t exactly an environment for romance; lack of air conditioning has a funny way of doing that.
“I’m getting a beer. Do you want your usual?” Jen rolled her eyes not waiting for my response.
My choice of sobriety always seemed to put a hamper on my girlfriend’s weekend; and she never missed an opportunity to remind me about it.
All my friends know that I’m a little too type ‘A’ to relax when I’m feeling out of control, so drinking has zero appeal. I was pretty amazed that we both got into this city bar on our fake I.D.’s. That was enough excitement for me…
I watched as Jenny shamelessly flirted with the middle-aged bartender. He twisted the cap of her icy Corona as she grinned widely, flipping her golden hair. The beer was free, of course.
I knew better than to join her at the bar. The girl was on a mission. Since I wasn’t drinking, the least I could do was not get in the way of her good time. Water or not, I’d wait for her and Jenny knew that. Sighing to myself, I glanced at my watch.
“The night’s still young.”
“Hey.” Hot breath against my neck startled me; it was a little too close for comfort.
“Listen, creep…” Pushing myself into the stranger in front of me, I recapture my space.
“No worries. I just couldn’t stop myself from coming over here.” A pair of blue eyes sparked from under his red baseball cap.
“It looks like you could use a new buddy.” The handsome stranger tipped his beer towards Jenny.
My heart fluttered, dismissing my earlier instinct.
“Yeah, I guess you’re right. She’s probably going to be there for a while.” I smiled.
“Your friend forgot to take care of you…so allow me.”
“That’s okay. I’m only drinking water tonight.”
“Water is just as easy to carry as liquor. I’ll be right back.” He winked.
As he weaved his way up to the bar, I watched Jenny hop her lithe body on top of it.
“Oh boy. It’s going to be a loooong night.”
Tonight felt surreal. Just a few hours ago, I was stressing about my algebra finals. Now, here I was in Mother Hubbard’s in downtown Chicago. The crazy thing was my parents actually believed that I was babysitting tonight! Getting away with that was such a rush; I’ve never been a very good liar.
“One water!” I heard his voice before seeing his face through the crowd.
“…For the most gorgeous girl in the room.” Muscle man pressed a sweaty glass into my hand, clinking his drink with mine.
The crowd shifted, shoving my body into his. Icy water poured over his jersey. He didn’t flinch, but I could feel electricity surge through me.
“Aren’t you moving a little fast? I don’t even know your name yet.” Those blue eyes fixated hard on my lips.
“I’m Jules.”
“Hey, Jules. I’m Rick. It’s a little crowded in here…wanna to go somewhere quiet?”
My heart leaped nervously. I could hear Jenny’s words echoing through my head, overpowering the jukebox wailing in the corner. “Julia, you don’t know how to have fun. You always stop yourself from experiencing life!”
My girlfriend was right. I was the good girl that always got good grades and did the right thing! Jenny was the wild one. And, up until fifteen minutes ago, I was totally fine with that. But, that was all before I met this handsome stranger…
“Dear Heavenly Father,
When I felt strong, I made such lofty promises to you. Then the temptations of this life came and overwhelmed me…and I got my heart and mind off of you.
Lord, sometimes I feel like I’m missing out. I’m so afraid I will have regrets and miss out on a good time. Help me remember that I can also have regrets for not listening to your voice of wisdom. Ignoring you will actually cause deeper pain.
Lord, you speak to me in a still small voice and the voice of the world beckons me with the sound of one big party.
I need you to bless me with wisdom beyond my years of experience. Bring good friends and mentors into my life that will keep me accountable to the promises I’ve made to you.
Help me not to be a stumbling block to others. There may be people that are looking to me as their example—ones I’m not even aware of!
In Jesus’ name I repent for talking a big talk and not walking the walk.
Your wisdom restrains me, it’s there to protect me. I will run towards it and not away. In Jesus’ name I speak wisdom over my life, Amen.”
Thank you for reading our weekly Christian devotional on verses: 2 Timothy 2:22, Proverbs 1:10
Please check back and see what we have for you next week!
Author: Julia Shalom Jordan
