My nephew went off to college for the first time last fall, and I remember hoping he wouldn’t be hurt or confused or overwhelmed. Going out into “the world” is eye-opening, to say the least.

He is a thoughtful, caring, considerate, and fun-loving person, and I was praying that those qualities would remain intact. Away from his tight-knit family, he would be vulnerable to all manner of temptations and attacks, manipulations and deceptions. He would also be presented with countless new ideas and values, some beautiful and some ugly.

As an aunt, I felt extra powerless. I counted on the strength of his character and the wisdom his loving parents had instilled in him.

“And I pray this: that your love will keep on growing in knowledge and every kind of discernment, so that you may approve the things that are superior and may be pure and blameless in the day of Christ,” (Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭9‬-‭10,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

The same kinds of feelings plagued Paul when he left a newly planted church. They were vulnerable to temptations, attacks, manipulations and deceptions. That’s why he wrote letters to them when he was unable to visit. He reminded them of the truth, of God’s priorities and values. He helped them evaluate every idea and discern whether it belonged in God’s kingdom or not.

I need that kind of reminder, too. Daily. I am vulnerable to attacks, temptations, manipulations, and deceptions. I may not recognize them as such, but they bombard me constantly. Although I am more experienced than my nephew, I am just as vulnerable. So I return again and again to God’s word to set me straight, to return me to love.

Dear God,

Thank you for your word. Thank you for its availability. Remind me of my vulnerability and my need to constantly reset my priorities. Protect me from satan’s attempts to corrupt my values or lower my standards. Love is always the goal.