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"Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you." (James 4:7-10 ESVuk)
A lot of healing has gone on over the years. Like a lot of my fellow Christians with a history, I rejoice in not being the person I once was. However, like the Incredible Hulk, you will not like me when I am angry. Fortunately my wife is often there to remind me to let it go, be gracious, or such like, and not to continue being in a bad place, or frame of mind. I love my wife, who loves me enough to tell me.
Back in the mid-eighties, I knew a lady in church who could see pictures from God. Once she told me that she saw a picture of me standing on the dais as a soldier of Christ in armour. Ever since then I have pictured myself as that soldier, and as need, or habit, arises I have prayed on the armour of the Kingdom, Ephesians 6:10-17.
Last week I was taken aback by an experience at church. Yes, in the greater scheme of things it was a storm in a teacup, but somehow I found it hard to let the issue go. I believed I had the luxury of knowing that the issue was totally not of my doing and it rankled! Knowing that to respond would only make it worse, there was nothing I could do but suck it up, go home and lay it at the feet of Jesus, in the hope that the emotion would subside. Eventually in prayer I received enough grace, and peace of mind to be able to go to sleep.
This morning as I talked with God, I saw this picture of me in armour standing ready for battle. This time I was swinging an oversized, heavy, and double-handed six-foot sixteenth-century duelling long-sword. As I swished, I cut my attackers off at the knees before they could get near me, but, as I grew tired one nipped in between my sweeping sword and cut off my hand!
Now the normal sword I carry in this mind’s eye picture of Ephesians is a double-edged short sword, just held in my hand as the Word of God. So, being curious I asked God what was the meaning of this new sword?
The reply came: this is the sword of self-righteousness and those who live by it will die by it. Ouch, ouch, and again ouch. I had thought I had let the issue go. I had, but apparently not the pride and smugness of being right. I am still a work in progress.
Later I prayed with a friend and I laid the “long-sword” down and so by Grace I have my short sword back again.
Today examine what you are holding on to, if it seems to be bringing you down, place it at the feet of Jesus and seek wisdom for the greater good. Maybe like me, ask a friend to pray with you.
Prayer: LORD, it is the season of Good will, may we know God’s will for others, as well as for ourselves, to allow in the Kingdom. Please enable us to let go of the toxic thoughts and issues in our lives that harm, to set down the heavy thoughts that are not your thoughts and by Grace to make peace with our God and neighbour, in Jesus’ name, amen.
Roderick Marshall
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