You will be accepted if you do what is right. But if you refuse to do what is right, then watch out! Sin is crouching at the door, eager to control you. But you must subdue it and be its master. Genesis 4:7 (NLT)
In this story, Cain and Abel brought God an offering. It seems that when they did, Cain brought an offering that was not acceptable to God. God rejected it and Cain became angry. God tries to reason with him and says "Cain, why are you angry? If you do what I ask, I will accept what you offer."
Did Cain think that what he wanted was going to be more pleasing to God than what God wanted? How often do we do this? How often do we say "Lord, here is my plan. Please bless it." And as we walk the path and we start to see that maybe it won't work out, we still think we can make it work.
At this point, we are at a crossroads. I picture it as a crossroad with a sign in the middle. One side of the sign points in one direction with the word "Me" on it and the other sign points in the opposite direction and says "God." I imagine on the "Me" path there is a salivating figure crouching behind a boulder waiting to pounce. It is eager saying "Feed me, feed me" over and over again. Sadly, we all too often take this path.
The other direction, the path leads to God's plan. If you choose this path, there are still challenges but here God is in control and because of that you are able to master the desire to satisfy yourself.
Cain chose to feed the "Me" path and was overcome by his choice. It controlled him and he was ruined. As I read this story I have to ask God, "Is there something I am doing that is sending me down the "Me" path instead of the "God" path?"
How about you?