Brothers
and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should
restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ”
Galatians 6:1-2 (NIV2011)
In
Homer’s Odyssey, Circe warns Odysseus that he will face many dangers at sea.
One of the big dangers he will face is the alluring, dangerous, and
potentially deadly call of the sirens. In
Greek mythology sirens are sea nymphs who are powerfully attractive to men at
sea not only because of their beauty but also because the have such voices.
In
order to avoid the temptation to give in to the lure of the sirens, Odysseus has
his men tie him to the mast of the ship so he can’t escape until the
temptation has passed.
Whether
you are fasting or not you will face the temptation to give up, give in, quit,
or start something that is exactly what you don’t want to do, but the sirens
are calling. The truth
is that none of us are all that good in avoiding temptation by ourselves.
Nor are we built to be able to so alone.
We need help.
Odysseus
had, I think, a really good idea.
He asked his friends for help and they tied him up.
Friends
don’t let friends sail through siren fields alone.
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