Weekly Reading: Chapter 10 & 11

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Hello everyone, Spencer here. Welcome back to Character in Crisis!

Today we’re going to look at an exciting section in Tip Lewis—the one where Tip goes to the circus.

Tip is instantly attracted to the event; the animals, the crowds, and the music excite his curiosity and compel his senses. As the beautiful music wafts through the city, Tip lingers to listen. But along with the enchanting sway is the constant beat of the Word replaying in his heart:

“Avoid it…pass not by” (Proverbs 4:15).

But on he goes, crowding out the gentle whisper of conviction with thoughts of self-justification. “Others are going!” he reasons, “Even fellow churchgoers are attending. I won’t actually go in.” And so he steals right up to the door, and peers through.

Thus unarmed and unprepared for the battle before him, Tip finds himself swept into the midst of the throng, mesmerized by the happenings therein. So much to see, so much to experience! Then comes the cold shock—the wake-up call.

Tip is confronted by an inebriated, vulgar man. Instantly scared into his wits, Tip turns and flees the scene in a panic. Although he finally breaks the grip of temptation, his heart is filled with remorse. Have you ever been there?

Without realizing it, Tip was practicing the disciplines of spiritual warfare:

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7).

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (I Peter 5:8).

Although Tip gained a victory, he is saddened that he compromised. He must still face the consequences, and face them he does. What our young hero does next sets a pattern that he will learn to follow for the rest of his life. Where does it start? Humility.

In a secluded piece of woods, Tip falls to his knees and pours his heart out before the Lord:

“Oh, Jesus Christ, in spite of it all, You know I love you; won’t You forgive me and let me try again?” Long he knelt there, trying to get close to Christ, and his Saviour did not leave him alone. It was only yesterday he had learned the verse, and it came to him softly now: “Thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, of great kindness” (Nehemiah 9:17). In his sore trouble, Tip’s lamp had not failed him.

Seeing God’s steady, shepherding hand in our lives is one of the great wonders of the Christian life. Truly, “he will never leave us nor forsake us” (Deuteronomy 31:8).

The prophet Hosea writes:

“Come, let us return to the LORD; for he has torn us, that he may heal us; he has struck us down, and he will bind us up” (Hosea 6:1).

Where does Tip go from there? Join us next week to find out! Or, get ahead on your weekly reading and check out chapters 15-17.

Thank you for joining us, we look forward to next time!