One hot summer afternoon a few buddies and I trailered our horses to ride the North Saskatchewan River trails. I like to trail ride my show horses as it is good for the body and mind to get out of the arena.  When we returned to the trailers, my gelding Rusk, was covered in dried sweat and his coat was salt-flecked from working the hilly terrain.

I stripped Rusk’s saddle and bridle, put on his halter and an extra-long lead line to lead him down to the rocky shoreline so he could wade in the slow moving water. I held the end of the lead and stood on the shore while he happily pawed, splashing himself with cool water.

My buddies were standing on the shore line watching.  They cautioned, “You’re gonna get wet.”

I disagreed.  “No I won’t, look how long my lead line is.  I’ll be fine.”

Do not be envious of evil men,
Nor desire to be with them;
For their minds devise violence,
And their lips talk of trouble.

Proverbs 24: 1-2

Have you ever been in a situation where you thought you could play in your Sunday clothes and not get wet? Thinking you could flirt on the outskirts of people and activities that are not aligned with God’s values while you yourself remain uninvolved and untainted?

For instance – you can rationalize the fun of hanging out with the mean girls because you have promised yourself you will never participate in their cruelty.  Or, you could still experience the thrill of listening to the latest hot gossip as long as you keep your vow that you will never spread it, And, going to events and places where activities that offend your moral sense of right and wrong take place is fine, as long as you only enjoy the observing.

But if you are honest with yourself … you know that sooner or later, you will participate in the cruelty and you will rationalize your bullying as “we’re just joking, or they deserve it, or better them than me.”

One day you will spread the gossip, but justify yourself because you were just sharing a real concern for someone you deeply care about.  Or perhaps you voiced it as a selfless prayer request for a dear friend. (Hello Christian sarcasm.)

If your toe nudges your moral line long enough, you will eventually step over it. And why not? Everyone else is doing it and they are just fine, in fact they are having fun, what is the possible harm?

My son, fear the Lord and the king;
Do not associate with those who are given to change,
For their calamity will rise suddenly,
And who knows the ruin that comes from both of them?
Proverbs 24: 21-22

I could see that Rusk wanted to roll so I put the toes of my riding boots just at the water’s edge and stretched out as far as I could to give him enough room to lay down. In his mind not enough room, because he tossed his head against the restraint of the lead. In my vulnerable position I was yanked off my feet into an ungraceful, fully-clothed, belly flop.

The shore erupted in laughter amidst jeers of “Warned you.” “Yup, we were right!”  “You should have listened.”

They were right.
They did warn me.
And I really wish I had listened.

The righteous is a guide to his neighbor,
But the way of the wicked leads them astray.
Proverbs 12:26

As unhappy as I was, slogging out of the river soaking wet and anticipating the drive home in drenched clothes, I knew my consequences were short-lived and my lesson learned.  Next time I will listen to the advice of wiser friends and not the whims of my self-serving horse.

What about you?  Do you appreciate how precious your one life is, and how your decisions can be of much greater consequence than an unplanned swim in a muddy river?

Consider who you will align yourself with.  My prayer for you is that you will choose not just casual acquaintances, but will seek out true friends who are your supporters and allies.  Friends, confidants and role models who love you enough to challenge you when you are making decisions that can cause you hurt, and whose great joy is to see you fulfill your highest potential.