Years ago, when I was in college (okay a lot of years ago), I was out running. When there is enough daylight, this is something I still do. I fear I am not as faithful as I need to be, but it is a great stress reliever and is good for me physically.

Anyway, on this particular day, I was running through my campus (Purdue University). I had just made a turn between a dorm and the Recreation building. Someone caught my eye and I could not stay focused.

I didn't know the person, but was for some reason, unable to keep my head in what I was doing. I was running on a sidewalk and it acted as a guide as I neared the edges, I could sense it and corrected my direction.

I really didn't think I had been looking the wrong direction for very long. Apparently, I really wasn't thinking.

I was a competitive distance runner before college and owned a number of records. Pride swelled in me in certain moments of my life. When my eye was capturing an image I did not want to release, I felt my body posture change as if I were a rooster, strutting about the barnyard for some plucky hens.

Suddenly, I was catapulted into the air heels over head! I was literally inverted from the force of the blow.

I landed with ego bent. I quickly peeked back in the direction which had caused me to perform this involuntary yet original, gymnastic move. Seemingly, I had gone unnoticed.

This was hard to believe. I had made quite a racket. I did not land on my feet. I'm not sure what all I scraped, but my body hurt. I was humiliated. Instantly, I was reminded of the scripture passage that taught me that 'pride precedes a fall.' I did fall...hard...and in more ways than one.

There was no question that I needed a reminder. The fluorescent orange and white striped construction barricade I had assaulted, stood undaunted.

Normally I have pretty good peripheral vision. My gaze at the wrong thing had been so intense that I missed out on obvious warning signs.

Without a doubt, this story is literal and metaphorical in its content and direction. I knew immediately that the Lord needed me look elsewhere for what my mind would feast upon.

There are so many things in our world that are attractive to us. They are not inherently evil. What we allow to happen in our heads and with our time is what causes lines to be transcended.

He is seeking us. So is the enemy.

We are too often on the run toward something we really should avoid.

It is said that "the eyes are the window to the soul." If that be the case, then let what is invited past this physical portal be edifying. When physical and mental pictures embrace, let them be engaged to His Spirit and draw us into His presence.

dad