Recently, I have been hearing about church splits and familys’ troubles, and it has begun to take my breath away. I was saddened that the people who were conveying the news to me seemed unphased by it, jumping from this topic to another one, while I was catching my breath, shaking my head, seeing myself waving my fist at the Evil that was present.
And, I realize that Evil is not always blatantly obvious. It sneaks in, unsuspecting, jabbing a few times into life, testing to see how it is received, noting if others just let it go as no big deal. Then, Evil begins to prepare for another round with its ultimate aim of destruction of God’s children:
The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
John 10:10 New American Standard Bible
And I am abhorred! Maybe it is me -and I know it is (God has wired me this way: an intercessor, a watchman), but when I see or hear things that are out of balance with God’s design, it puts me into a fighting mode: and I pray, and try to convey that which I am seeing/experiencing from a Scriptural perspective.
It doesn’t always work. I am told, among other things, that I am too ‘religious’. And, so, when these times come, I step back from the conversations and pray more.
And yet, regardless, of these splits and dysfunctional relationships I hear about, I realize that God’s promise continues to be reconciliation for the struggler. That empowers me to keep going, and it causes me to be thankful because His promises are true…regardless.
What keeps you going? What are you thankful for today?
Blessings on your journey
-Michael