Monday, January 30, 2017

Smelly offenses

My guilt overwhelms me—it is a burden too heavy to bear.  My wounds fester and stink because of my foolish sins. - Psalm.38:4-5 NLT


Have you ever made the mistake of leaving something a little too long in the refrigerator and been reminded by an unmistakable rotting odor sometime later?  So you go rooting around in the fridge until you find the offending item to get rid of it.  Sometimes the odor has permeated other items and you end up having to get rid of some items that would otherwise have been "good" had they not been in the same place as that smelly item.


Well, so are some of those things we have buried and forgotten or refused to deal with.  Those things that happened so long ago that though they still affect our behavior, the actual event was never dealt with.  How about those things we did to someone else that because it happened so long ago, we think that an apology now would be fruitless?  Maybe those things we've kept hidden for fear of being judged by others, we refuse to deal with. 


Anything hidden will come to light.  How so?  By the behaviors that have grown out of that manure that we don't even recognize are a direct result of the hidden offense/offender.  Have we become promiscuous, but can't pinpoint why?  Do we immediately turn to negativity as a defense mechanism?  Have alcohol or drugs become a balm to soothe a deep ache?  Do we denigrate another as a way to make ourselves look better?  Has pornography become a crutch to achieve sexual fulfillment? All these, and so many more, are merely the symptoms of deep-seated hurts that were never faced, either as the offender or the victim.  And just like that offending item in the fridge, it can affect so much else that would otherwise have been good, but now carries the taint of that "rotting secret."


This past Sunday we were asked to search ourselves. Sometimes those journeys within are less than pleasant.  In truth, they can be downright traumatic, but in order for complete healing to take place, it must be performed.  Tears will fall, feelings may get hurt, divisions may arise, but eventually healing will come if the root is dealt with correctly, that is, in the light of God's Word.


These spiritual and emotional "surgeries" cannot take place lightly, for if misguided, they may cause more harm than good and the healing purpose sought becomes even farther away and may even become more septic.  Any deep seeking must always be done under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the anointed Word of God.  When man undertakes such tasks without the guidance of the Hand of God, perceptions can be skewed, false memories can be introduced, and myriad other forms of damage can occur.


But when it's done right, oh the freedom, the healing, the rebirth!  It's like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon, struggling to be free, but when finally free from its prison, its lithe beauty is a wonder to behold, often blessing others by its very presence.


Search your heart, do you need to go under the Surgeon's knife?  Unsure?  Take a look in the mirror, or take stock of how you behave or react.  Study your actions or methods and see if you do something that, until now, you've never questioned its reasoning.  Your healing could be right around the corner, but because you're "smelly," instead, everyone can tell that you're right around the corner.  You may not think that there is anything wrong, yet you wonder why "certain" people react certain ways around you.  Could it be something you're giving off?


We have too many wounded warriors going into battle not recognizing that we have holes in our armor, or that we're bleeding under the armor.  We have too many battles ahead of us to go in so ill-prepared.  There are many men and women of God who are fully equipped to aid in these journeys, but seek God first before seeking them out.  Sometimes God wants to do this healing without any other human interaction...but you won't know unless you ask.


Cleaning out the fridge is not a pleasant task, but it is necessary, especially if something is spoiling the pleasant experience you expected when you opened it.  The same with life, it can be pleasant, but if something unpleasant is in the way, it can spoil the entire experience.

Monday, January 23, 2017

Don't let my demanor fool you!

Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man.” - Luke 21:36 (NLT)


On my way to church yesterday, I noticed a bird on the wires overhead.  As I drove closer, I recognized a hawk, and because it was raining, I assumed its head was bowed to stave off the elements.  As I got even closer however, I saw that it was not in a complacent  or even self-protective stance at all, but was very closely studying something in the bushes across the road.


I received a message instantly about my mistake; it was directed at people like me who jump to conclusions about a person's demeanor, instead of relying on and sharpening my discernment.  Sometimes we will see someone in prayer, with their head bowed, and even though we may know them very well and know that they have one of the sharpest discerning spirits around, we may still assume that in that moment of prayer their guard may be down.  It may be at that moment however, when they may be at their sharpest, most aware of whatever and whomever is around them.  They may even be praying for that situation that you have shared with no one, but God dropped it into their basket, and they're being obedient to His command to pray you through it.  Don't mistake their demeanor for weakness or distraction.




As I began typing this message I received another message.  Just because your situation has calmed down, don't think that the enemy isn't studying you, looking for another way in.  The scriptures do warn us that he is like a roaring lion, roaming about, seeking whom he may devour.  The lion's roar is a warning to put your guard up and get somewhere safe, but what if he doesn't roar, and like the hawk is silently watching your every move, waiting for the opportune moment to pounce?  That's when the scripture Matthew 24:43-44a (MSG) becomes applicable: "But you do know this: you know that if the homeowner had known what time of night the burglar would arrive, he would have been there with his dogs to prevent the break-in. Be vigilant just like that."  Always be on guard where the enemy is concerned, never let your guard down.  And when you become weary, ask the Holy Spirit to stand watch over your soul, He's always on post.