Leaving the Ninety-Nine

Breathing deeply, I ran along a dusty ridge at twilight. This strange planet was rocky and laden with traps. My commanding officer had warned me not to take shortcuts but to think clearly about where each path would lead. He said this trail’s end contained wormholes to other worlds; my training would help me choose wisely.

I swerved around a boulder and saw a faint glow. Reaching the precipice, I skidded to a stop and discovered three large stone faces. Their mouths were taller than me, and their eyes glowed brighter as I neared.

“Welcome, friend,†said the first face. “Yearning for something? Tell me your desires.†He smiled, showing a full set of stone teeth. Something inside me ached to step closer.

The center face rolled her eyes at him, pulling my attention. Then she said to me, “You’re too important to waste your time on him. I’ll give you a kingdom to rule.â€

But the first face’s smile only widened. “Is not the purpose of power to increase one’s pleasure? I specialize in human delights. I’ll take you where your cravings lead.â€

“Are you the wormholes?†I asked.

“We are,†the first face replied. “So, what pleases you? Money? Love? Just step inside.†He opened his mouth wide. The desire inside me surged stronger.

“You know nothing of love,†the third face suddenly said to him. This new face squinted His eyes and looked at me. “I have called you. I have a purpose for you deeper than yourself.â€

“Lame!†called the second face. She spoke to me, “His purposes will never cause people to envy your position and power. You want respect! You want to be worshiped! Choose me. Step through here.†She opened her mouth.

But I walked to the third face. “What purpose do you have for me?â€

“I want you to be with me and enjoy me forever, for I am good. Following me means laying your own life down and serving others. In my kingdom, you will grow in wisdom and have steadfast peace, even when the trails are rough. Then, when the time is right, you will reign with me forever.†He opened His mouth.

A force started dragging me toward the first two faces. “Help me,†I begged the third face. Instantly, I entered His mouth and rode the wormhole to a new life. • Michelle Cochran

• This story is an allegory of 1 John 2:15-17, which describes different types of temptations. As a human, Jesus faced all these temptations just like we do, but He never gave in (Matthew 4:1-11; Hebrews 4:14-16). Jesus lived a life that honored God the Father and served others. He did not strive to make a name for Himself or bring Himself fleeting pleasure. He even chose death on a cross so our sins could be forgiven, and He rose from the dead to offer us new life. If you’ve put your trust in Jesus, He has forgiven all your sin, and now His Holy Spirit is in you, helping you to follow Jesus. You will always have temptations in this world, but Jesus offers you the power to walk away from them and choose Him instead. What temptations are you facing today?

• How might knowing and memorizing the Bible help you recognize deception and sin? How might “keeping our eyes on Jesus†help us follow Him instead of giving in to temptations (Hebrews 12:1-3)?

• If you want to know more about what it means to put your trust in Jesus, check out our “Know Jesus” page.

For consider him who endured… Hebrews 12:3a (CSB)

Read Verses:

Luke 15:1-7; John 10:1-21; 1 Timothy 2:4; 1 John 4:7-21