Insignificance

My job furnishes me with a 2 bedroom apartment for which I am grateful. The necessities that one requires to make their haven safe has been amply supplied by little to hardly any expense from me. Truely a blessing from the Lord. However, what I find that most of us, if not all, have been guilty of is the complacent of the blessing over a given period of time. If there be the least of things that comes against the initial comfort, do we consider it a test or is the first thing spoken a complaint? Has any of us ever believed that we would have been far more grateful for what God did if we were in the shoes of the children of Israel?

I was sitting at my dining table that I did not buy but was given to me and across the table slithering between the fabric and the wood of the chair was a small worm looking thing. If nothing else was creepy and trying to find a shadow. I know I couldn't catch it to kill before slithering into another crevice. That sight detoured me from using the dining set for awhile. I prayed and forced myself to believe it was gone in the name of Jesus; though I asked over and over where did it come from? Later a thought came to mind that the people who gave me the set had a dog. The dog brought some parasite from outside ... well, know that the thought was creepier than the worm and without rebuking it with the Word (extinguishing the fiery dart)(Ephesians 6:16 KJV), I just stayed away from using the dining table for awhile allowing my faith filled prayers to take effect.

It took some time before I could believe the angels were sent from heaven (as if having nothing else better to do) to crush that creepy worm - yes, angels sent to crush the worm. I began to use the dining table again, not only to eat but write, draw, read, and study. Just then I happened to look from my materials and to the right at the front door, looking down at the carpet and where one of my runners were placed, came that same looking tiny creepy worm out of the lit hallway and into my hall closet. Trying not to do the mental creepy dance, I also didn't know how to kill what was staying so low and close into the fibers of the carpet. I prayed some more and kept from the hall closet for awhile.

During that time where I abstained from a portion of my apartment, my job was going through some changes that were, if nothing else, annoying. After one, it really didn't matter so much, then came another and another, After it got to 5 or 6, I had started believing the complaints of co-workers and those living within the community. I had in as much rallied along the band wagon.

Annoyed, frustrated, and seemingly couldn't stop myself from fussing, I forgot all about that worm. I got up in the wee hours of the morning, comfortable enough not to wear shoes or slippers when getting out of bed momentarily to use the bathroom. I flicked on the lights to use the facilities and there was that worm slithering from one area rug and out the door in the hall were it was dark. I would have stomped on it, but I wasn't wearing slippers or shoes, so I prayed for its annihilation trying not to do the creepy dance while going back to bed. Sleep didn't return for the thoughts of slither troubled me. I laid there looking at my bedroom doorway; oddly enough.

The next morning I saw an ant. Completely prepared with shoes on, I stomped on it so hard thinking that it was a baby worm, that when I lifted my foot there was no evidence of it. The morning after that I saw the worm again weaving in and out of the area rug trying to get to the hallway. I crushed it not giving it any opportunity in being hidden under any shadows....

And then I heard the voice of the Lord reminding me of His Word:

First, He reminded me not to forget Him when I received houses that I did not build (Deuteronomy 6:10-12 KJV). When we complain, essentially that is what we are doing (Philippians 2:14 KJV). How dare I? With all that we have been blessed with, any sort of discomfort should cause us to question within ourselves if we did anything to cause it or gave place to the enemy. Would that it could be a test of endurance allowing patience to have her perfect work? Is your faith so small that you would not think you caused the discomfort on yourself?

Second, God told us that we would be astonished at the insignificance of the size of the enemy. Why wouldn't I have seen that tiny creepy thing as being a warning to what is to come? Those annoying changes on my job. Had I remembered the insignificance of it and not fed into the creepiness, I would have also recalled the Word and stayed in Peace when the changes tried to occur.

Finally, I wasn't prepared for its true anihillation the first time, the second time, or the third time though I prayed and God heard me. I was concentrating so not to be creeped about the thing. When I put my shoes on, I could do what God gave me the ability to do (Ephesians 6:10-18 KJV). What about you?

Suddenly ! (part 2)

Being a domestic violence counselor of a fairly large sized Social Service Company, I was content - even enjoyed my job by giving advice, providing resources, and essentially helping people in whatever that was needed.

One afternoon the company called a staff meeting. The director announced the events to come and made everyone aware of the budget restraints but affirmed that no one would be losing their jobs due to the econmy. "The recession wasn't going to touch us," she made us believe and we reciprocated with applause. Earlier, I had received an accomodation for my work and the trainers from the city's capital came to the company to tell the director about how impressed they were of me. I was elated; and then it happened.

My suddenly was a phone call from a disgruntled client who was trying to milk the system. She got a "no" from me so she went to the director. I wasn't afraid but SUDDENLY I was terminated. What?!! The director seemed to scramble for the words. It still doesn't make sense even after the accomadation, her affirmation, the trainers? What else could I do but look for another job?

It rained one day. I was driving through an under pass where the water collected. A woman and her 3 children were stalled. I slowed down and waited for her. Looking in my rearview mirror I saw a pick up truck behind me that didn't seem to be slowing down. Then SUDDENLY, BAM! His bumper moved my trunk closer to me.

Shortly after recuperating from the accident, I was driving home when SUDDENLY I felt the car shaking. Pulling it to the side, I got out and saw the tire was completely flat - like blow out flat. I walked to my mother's home which wasn't far. I called another relative for assistance. When I got home the relative called asking where was my car? I gave specific directions. I was driven to where I parked the car and there was no car there. I had no car?

Walking and taking public transportation seemed to be test of my endurance. SUDDENLY pain like I never experienced before made itself known. I needed transportation. I needed a job; without either, it was seemingly bleak. On my way home with gritted teeth, I tried to be optimistic, unlocking the front door my children greeted me in the dark! The lights were out - not so suddenly. The other utilities were also following suit.

Suddenly! (part 3)

What could I do but get on my knees? This was a beating to me. What was I being chastised about - for asking? What was going on? This kind of stuff never happens to me. I had always been blessed. Granted, there are some things I would have liked, but for the most part, my life had been very happy. Then, SUDDENLY, while in church services, the pastor changes, the way he was teaching. It was as if attending Vacation Bible School for baby saints. He was catering only to them! Doesn't anyone else need spiritual food? What was going on? By this time I was wailing. The restraints were off. Anxiety and stress were tap dancing on temperance and I didn't care. If anyone told me to be patient, at that given moment, they were going to get the beat down of their lives! I don't believe my prayers were coherrent to anyone else, but God saw my heart.

I did get a job. It wasn't what I would normally do, but it is work. To do it well, I have to be still. I never knew how hard that was until I had to do it. In that time I learned that asking for a suddenly isn't bad. Asking for a suddenly at the appropriate time is better. It took 3 years for me to realize that I have grown up and my gifts are needed elsewhere. Provision flowed plentiful at one time, but when changes occur, your attention is being beckoned. I still have provision (God will always supply); however, abundance directs elsewhere. Know when its your time to move.

Touch Not My Anointed

There comes a time in our lives where we must move from the nest. We already know that time within ourselves when to move from Mom and Dad's home and into a place of our own. The parents might initially feel ambivalent about the decision because they know they trained you but also you will be embarking on matters that you really know nothing about and that makes them feel insecure with what they trained you with. So what happens to this same instinct for the child spiritually?

We have made up our minds to be devoted to the faith, we have volunteered, have done the work, and we have learned the lessons taught and applied them to our lives - now what? When is it time to put all of that in operation? When do we move from the place where we grew up? That first ministry (church) that taught us the most. When do we act upon what God says when He tells us to move? Is it scarier to move from that first ministry than it was to move from our parent's home? And when we do, whether forcibly or not, do we move quietly or kicking and screaming?

I moved from a good ministry and it took some doing to get me to do it. I had become comfortable with the routine and the work I was doing plus with the messages taught the emphasis was on, why would anyone leave? But I also remember the pastor telling new members, "this may not be a perfect church because you are here, but God lead you here for a reason so get involved." I knew that the ministry was going to train those new members and their particular gift or talent would enhance the church and others all the more.

Apparently God was going to use my gifts elsewhere and I couldn't see as to why He moved me to a Jewish Community where oddly enough, I found others just like me. Not necessarily in the community itself but in places I would have never seen if I didn't do the first thing He said to do - move. I heard people talk of other ministries as if they had been there and knew what was going on. These were influential people to me. So when it came time for me to move, to those ministries I couldn't help but to wonder why would I go there if that ministry is like that? Where I come from the choir is so anointed and the order by which the auxiliaries conduct themselves is timely and well managed. I enjoyed it so much. Why would I go elsewhere where none of this is being done? Man, I would like to enjoy where I am going! I don't feel like complaining about some out of tune choir, haughty ushers, and a nursing guild whose attitude is that they are doing me a favor. After all that I heard those people say about this ministry, why God, why can't I stay where I am?

The answer was in my question. It is where I AM. The Word says to depart from evil, do good, seek peace and pursue it (Psalms 34:14 KJV). If peace leaves for me, why would I continue to stay? Where there is no peace, would trouble fill the void if disobedience is in operation? Trouble in finances, relationships, understanding, work, business, home, etc.? How much more convincing do you need?

Ministers don't usually speak of members growing up and moving because they are gatherers. It is their nature. Taking members from other ministries I find reprehensible but some have done this too (give me scripture signifying that it is okay to do and I will retract that statement). To understand both, you would have to look at your own situation. Has He told you to move? Still kicking and screaming? What do you have to be afraid of? Don't listen to that which can do you no good. The opinions of others should not touch you. Hear the voice of the Lord. Take heed and do.