As the evening wears on the men start asking other woman from their circle of friends to dance. It has become a routine and expected part of their get-togethers. Now, everyone is getting up and dancing with each others’ spouses as she waits patiently for him to ask her to dance. Maybe it just isn’t going to happen tonight, she thinks. Suddenly she notices that they are the only two people left sitting at the table. “Would you like to dance? he asks and she nods her head affirmatively as she rises from her chair. He takes her hand and leads her to the dance floor and in a moment they are in each other’s arms, as they begin to move to the slow, soothing rhythm of an old-fashioned, nostalgic sixties melody. As they are dancing they start to move slower and slower until they are barely moving at all. Gradually, without even realizing what is happening, she becomes mesmerized. Then, all of a sudden, she becomes conscious of the fact that they are strangely insulated and alone in a sphere, transfixed in an impenetrable bubble as the mob of couples move silently around them. Everything has gone mute; they are completely alone in the midst of the crowd. She is spellbound and transported from this world into a completely different dimension. Being in this place – this other world – is weird, extraordinary and surprising powerful. The song ends and somehow they pull themselves apart. After all, to do otherwise would appear totally inappropriate and scandalous. As she walks back to her chair she feels physically shaken and weak. It is at that very moment that it hits her; she is in trouble, deep, deep trouble. Oh, my God! she utters to herself, what am I doing?
It was obvious to her that this temptation was Herculean. The intensity was pulling her under and swallowing her up like the undertow and storm waves of her childhood days on the beach. It was also obvious that she was in love with this man.
What should she do? What could she do? What did she do?
In desperation and heartache, she prayed. Dear God, help me!
Then, filled with fear and barely able to get the words out of her mouth – truly, how does one share such monstrous thoughts and unspeakable feelings - she shared her plight with her beloved Minister.
My husband is a wonderful guy and I love him dearly, she said. But, I love this man, also. I really love him too.
And what was his response? He could easily have laughed. Many people would have laughed, don’t you think? Don’t be ridiculous, you can’t possibly love two men at the same time?
But he didn’t laugh.
So if he didn’t laugh, what did he do? Did he reprimand her, reproach her, condemn her? Did he say, you must never see this man again. You must put him out of your life forever.
No, this Minister was wise and the Spirit of God was with him and his counsel was true.
What did he say that saved her from her greatest temptation? What advice did he give? Did he tell her what she must do?
He said simply and clearly and lovingly, when you truly love someone, you would never do anything to hurt them.
And that was all he needed to say.
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