“One day Peter and John were going up
to the temple at the time of prayer – at three in the afternoon.”
(Acts 3:1 NIV)
Every afternoon
at three o’clock assorted temptations, disguised as harmless distractions,
knock on the door of my mind.
It started
when I was a teenager. I jumped off the afternoon school bus and raced home to
a much-anticipated snack. Mid-afternoon was my comfort time, my down time, and my
time to relax and chill.
I have deliberated
with many women who struggle as I do. This time between lunch and dinner triggers
an alarm to reach for food in the refrigerator and pantry. My self-controlled,
thin cousin told me she could hear every cake within a hundred miles calling
her name, saying, “come and eat me!” I, too, hear that call escalate at 3 pm.
“About the ninth hour (3 pm) Jesus
cried out in a loud voice,
“Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?” –
which means,
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken
me?”
(Matthew 27:46 NIV)
Jesus endured
the fiercest temptations and submitted Himself to the ultimate sacrifice at three
o’clock Good Friday afternoon. Something horrific and holy happened on the
cross. Our Savior died at the same hour faithful Jewish leaders conducted afternoon prayers. They prayed to their God, their Creator, as they ironically crucified Him.
As I wrote
this my alarm chimed 3:00. A daily notification on my cell phone reminds me of
this awful, amazing, and wonderful time. A lyrical tune calls me to stop, look,
and listen to God’s Spirit at this sacred time every day. The alarm is a
distraction from distractions, a call to breathe, relax, and focus on the only
One who can truly satisfy every desire.
I look
forward to my afternoon prayers when I give all temptations and struggles
to my Savior. I hope you will, too!
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