There are things taking place around you that God does not
want you to get used to. They were never meant for you to become comfortable
with their presence in your life. It is time to break away and walk away.

Once, while working vice, we got information of a
prostitution ring operating out of a seamy men’s club in San Jose, California
called the Pink Poodle. The club was a lurid place. Partially clad women danced
atop a long runway surrounded by men who would tip them based on how appealing
the performance was.

Our vice team was made up of four officers, three men, and
one woman. The female officer was a very young woman without any street
experience. She looked younger than her 22 years. Her assignment was to go up
to the bar and sit down. We were trolling her to see if the pimp or female
bartender who helped the pimp, would approach her with an offer to become part of
the stable of prostitutes they ran out of the club. This is rough work, even
for experienced cops. You see and hear things that only the cleansing power of
God’s love can scrub from your memory.

When we entered the bar the three male officers provided
cover for our female partner. I sat close to her on a nearby barstool to listen
to the conversation. After our female officer ordered a drink, the female
bartender started to make her move.  Our
officer was everything these criminals wanted. She was young and pretty and
innocent looking. The bartender could tell the surroundings were a shock to our
female officer. The officer was not play-acting. She was in shock and so is
anyone experiencing this level of degradation for the first time.

The bartender leaned over the bar and said, “Honey, I know all
of this is a bit shocking. Just keep coming back. You will eventually get used
to it.” I will never forget those last 7 words – “You will eventually get used
to it.” A dark chill ran up my spine as I heard hell speaking. We eventually
found the pimp and made the connection and arrests. The prostitution ring was
broken. The events that took place in the Pink Poodle illustrate a reality for
a believer.

There are things taking place in each of our lives that
unless we disconnect from them immediately, we will “eventually get used to
it.” These things are not always the obvious like a scene in a movie you should
fast-forward or a conversation that takes an uncomfortable turn to become
something base. Some of the things we get used to can be demeaning
conversations about people or groups or the promise of “just one more time and
then I will quit” when it comes to sinful behavior.

What have you become comfortable with in your life that you
need to walk away from? Just like the backup we provided to our female partner,
God is in the middle of your situation ready to help you walk away. A way of
escape is always present. You never have to get used to anything. With God,
there is always a way out.

“No temptation has
overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not
allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will
provide the way of escape also,
so that you will be able to endure it.” I Corinthians 10:13

1 Comment

  1. Anonymous

    Thanks for sharing Garris — Great Reminder!

    Reply

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