"Sting of Sin" This is the weekly email devotional of WhoUWith? Ministries (2004)   "Death where is thy sting!" I had a painful experience last week. I wasn't doing anything wrong. Just walking on the beach with my little girl, Bailey. I didn't think bad things were suppose to happen to you on vacation, but was I wrong! Maybe I was distracted by all the floats "dad the pack mule" was carrying, or by the fact that Bailey's older sister, Shelby, has no fear of the ocean and was nearing Cuba. But nonetheless it was somewhere in this moment that it happen...my bare foot stepped on a large, and very angry, hornet. I didn't know those little fellas could pack such a punch, but before I knew it I was down on the sand wondering why I wasn't flexible enough to get a closer look at what was now a throbbing and swelling foot! What does God’s Word say?: "Where, O death, is your victory? "Where, O death, is your sting?" The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. 1 Corinthians 15:55-58 Sin in my life is a lot like being stung by that hornet. I can be just walking along, probably distracted by the cares of life, and never considering the possible dangers that loom (if I were really worried about getting hurt, I wouldn't be bare footed to begin with). The only difference is I didn't choose to step on the hornet, but I choose to sin. I choose to be disobedient to Christ. Similar to when I have sinned against God Almighty, I was left with a swollen foot that for the next few days was uncomfortable reminder of my "painful experience". The encouraging thing about stings, and sin, is that we can recover from both. One with a little Benydrl, and the other by the forgiving grace of Christ. Next time I'm walking around barefooted, I will be watching where I step because I don't want to get stung again. What about you? Will you allow God to guide your steps today and avoid the sting of sin? Just Just a thought!