Pastor John,
The other day I was driving along a narrow highway in the northern and more rural part of the County. After a short time, this fellow came up swiftly behind me and as I was going slower, due to the speed limit, he began tailgating me.
As I and my unwelcome shadow continued down the road, I began to considered the danger that he was putting me in. When he first appeared, I was just uneasy about the situation, but as we pushed on down the road and the minutes mounted, and he remained all but welded to my rear bumper, my concern turned into a real indignation, and I said aloud, (and to no one in particular), “What right do you have to endanger my life?” Then, my feelings of frustration overflowed the boundaries of self-preservation and I said, “It’s not about me, but every human being! How dare you endanger another human being’s life? Any human being? What right do you have to do that?” I demanded, again to no one.
Then, feeling like I had just expressed a spirit that was not God’s, with fear, I released it, and without a thought I meekly spoke aloud, “Jesus, he could hurt me.” The Spirit of the Lord spoke back to my heart and said, “That is my business.”
At that moment, all of the tension disappeared. All of my concern for myself, and for mankind, who I was just previously ready to defend against this man, was gone. And I was at perfect peace.
And I had also just been corrected by the Lord, because I am loved 🙂
As I continued down the road, with my friend still in tow, I had the opportunity to open up the gift that I had just been given.
“That is my business”, is what the Lord said. And what that meant for me was that it was the Creator’s business, not mine, if I was hurt by another. Not just physically, but hurt in any manner. I am not my own, I am His possession. Mine is to do the will of God, while navigating the snares and potholes in this world that will entangle me or slow me down. Mine is to keep my mind on Jesus, doing His will with joy, in all things. It is the Lord’s business to preserve His creation, (me)…..or not. I belong to Him, and my welfare is His to consider.
My job is not to defend myself, nor to defend others, not with weapons of this world. My job is not to seek retribution, vengeance or justice. My job is to do the will of Him who bought me. The place to which the Lord invited me exists. My elders in Jesus are there. But it takes staying under the anointing to achieve it, because without the power of God to not be moved, the best that I can do is exhibit self-control of feelings that I can’t control.
So, now I know what to do with the world’s insanity. Miss it altogether while my heart is fixed on God.
Jerry
============
Suzi here.
Often these days I am reminded of Darren’s song that tells us “Hide in his mercy, hide in his grace, we will hide in our prayers, and as we give him praise, we will hide in testimonies, and the songs that we sing, we will hide from this world in the shadow of his wing.” I pray that Jesus helps me (us) do this. This attitude (spirit) that provokes strong reactions can be seen often on FB, or anywhere where comments can be posted or spoken (e.g., the news). It’s a total absence of common sense with no possibility of encouraging solid thinking. It’s best to stay far away from their “road rage”, else any of us get side-swiped. So, yes, it’s best to for us to do what Darren’s song says.
Suzi