On Friday night I got home from work only to find that the power that had gone out on Thursday night in a storm, had still not been restored to my home. I had spent the previous night in bed reading with a camping lantern and trying to get my feet warm without running to the laundry for a hot water bottle. The house was cold, and dinner had been some soup out of the freezer heated up on my gas stovetop, and my feet were cold... No TV and no computer and no way to recharge my phone. As much as I enjoy camping, I am a bit of a fair weather camper, and I draw the line at the point where I can't get warm. At one point I went into the kitchen and moved the rubbish bin to the side, just to find a cockroach scurrying across the floor. I hate them, and as much as I hate squashing them, I would rather do that than let them go or spray chemicals around. Anyway, I chased it around a little with the bottom of the rubbish bin unsuccessfully, and then after being surprised that it didn't do a runner under the fridge, I just squashed it under my foot. Crunch (yuck!), but it was gone.
In that moment, I was reminded of Genesis 3 at the time of the fall. This is what God said to the serpent in verse 15:
"And I will put enmity
between you and the woman,
and between your offspring and hers;
he will crush your head,
and you will strike his heel.”
My cockroach definitely had its head crushed in my scenario. And it reminded me in this moment that God has given us this ability to crush the nasty things that sneak into our lives. Prayer is powerful, because our God is powerful, and He has given us authority as sons and daughters. As simple as that. And maybe it wasn't a coincidence that this happened the night before healing rooms.... Not that I like to read too much into a cockroach on the floor.... But I hadn't see one for some time prior (I would like to think my house is generally clean).
In that time of arriving home from work to a cold house and facing another night without electricity and wondering about my plans for the weekend, I had a few choices to make - to phone a friend, to opt out of healing rooms the next morning, or to stay home for another night? I could choose anxiety and worry (and listening to another neighbour who was jumping up and down telling me what to do), or I could choose peace and trust. So I did. With a quick, "Lord what are you doing in the midst of this?", I rang a local motel, collected a few things together and made a beeline for a place of warmth, security and being able to engage with Healing Rooms uninterrupted the next day.
And so in this somewhat stressful situation, I was reminded of the peace of God. The divine shalom, that is is provided by the prince of Peace himself. In perfect peace, there are no cockroaches, there is no pain, no sickness, no worry, no insecurity and everything is in alignment with heaven.
I think this is something I often take for granted. Peace feels kind of compromising - so soft, gentle and good. I have been told I carry peace, which is one way the presence of God / Holy Spirit can manifest himself. it is a place of rest, of letting go, and of letting God. There is not control or fear here, but perfect surrender. Peace is not a place of not having enough, or worrying about being too much, but peace is at the heart of our relationship with God, and in fostering that, we also can find peace with others.
Romans 14: 17 - 20 The Passion Translation
For the kingdom of God is not a matter of rules about food and drink, but is in the realm of the Holy Spirit, filled with righteousness, peace, and joy. Serving the Anointed One by walking in these kingdom realities pleases God and earns the respect of others. So then, make it your top priority to live a life of peace with harmony in your relationships, eagerly seeking to strengthen and encourage one another. Stop ruining the work of God by insisting on your own opinions about food.
I think the Lord reminded me in my quick decision to take the motel on Friday night (and in trusting that the insurance will pay), that his power (the kingdom) lies in this place of peace.... which is maybe where we would least expect it.... Quiet surrender and bam! The cockroach is gone! No dramas, just the quiet, still voice of the father. No fear, no theatrics, no unexpected quirks or anything overly weird and wonderful. Just right relationship and the peace that surpasses all understanding. Provision in the place it needs to be. Everything in its rightful place. The beautiful Kingdom of God. Real Freedom.
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