For readers too young to remember, Red Rover, Red Rover was a popular childhood game played on many elementary school playgrounds during recess. Kids formed two facing lines, holding hands to form a barrier. One side called out, “Red Rover, Red Rover, let Johnny come over.” Johnny (or whoever was called) aimed at the two clasped hands he deemed most vulnerable and raced across the opening to break the hold. If he succeeded, he returned to his team, bringing one from the opposition with him. If he failed, he joined the opponent as their captive.
There’s a life illustration here. We belong to a “team,” a group of believers where we are safe, united in friendship and faith. But there is a team opposed to us that wants to lure us to their side, calling our name. This is not a game of Red Rover when the bell rings and we return to the safe atmosphere of the classroom. This is life, and temptation’s taunt is not a game we can easily walk away from. When the Tempter calls, his goal is to entrap us. He knows our name and targets our weaknesses.
We may run toward the temptation and, overconfident in our strength and speed, expect success. But the sad truth is, we risk being roped in. When we are captured, there’s no easy escape, no bell to end our captivity. Our team is weakened by our absence, and it will take another brave soul to risk safety and run into danger to win us back.
We thrive in the safety of our team. It is a place where we can learn and grow, increase in wisdom, and resist temptation’s lure. We need each other.
If you’ve run into danger, reach out to someone you trust and ask for help. If you’re standing strong, offer rescue to a struggling friend.
If another believer is overcome by some sin,
you who are godly should gently and humbly
help that person back onto the right path…
Share each other’s burdens.
Galatians 6:1-2 NLT
Picture from commons.wikimedia.org
BARBARA HIGBY 