Pest!

I have been struggling physically, spiritually and emotionally of late. Satan my true enemy would suck the life from my relationship with the Father. But because Jesus has triumphed through the cross, and my enemy cannot destroy my life in Jesus, he will do all he can to make me think I am defeated, dysfunctional, discarded. He will superimpose struggles into my heart, mind and sometimes my actual physical world to distract me from the reality of God's rest.

Hebrews 4:9-11 There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, . . .

The reality is Jesus completed the work. My faith in him means he completed my work, my struggle. This does not mean I do nothing in life or faith, but that my struggle has been finished by Jesus. I can move in rejuvenation rest and peace, regardless of what comes through my day.

There are times for growing. There are times of production. There are times of rest and waiting. Yet each day with God is dynamic whether it is a day of rest, a day of growth or a day of production. The Holy Spirit oversees all three for the good of my life.

Sometimes the effort to enter and stay in that place of rest involves preparation, understanding, and resistance. I must remember what I am about, what my life is attached to. Sometimes I must be creative and think a bit outside the box without allowing the carnal mind to begin problem solving and self-serving.

Yesterday at one point, I found myself crying out to God. I complained a bit; I ranted a bit. I reminded Him who He is and some of what His word has promised. I assaulted His heavenly dwelling with friendships, and family, and healing, and the stuff that has dragged me out of my rest and is trying to destroy my reliance. Why does he stand silent in the onslaught against my spirit and body? My belief is that the aggressiveness of my cry, and yes it was aggressive, was not in rebellion or disrespect. I received no answers though I felt his heart was open to my cry. Feelings are good and bad. God created us to feel and it was good, but the human part is carnal, selfish and inclined to doubt.

My sunroom is a spot where I like to meet with my Father each morning. It is a place of growth and refreshing. It is a place where the Father speaks and listens. Sometimes he reveals the inmost discrepancies in my thought, action and motives. Sometimes he overwhelms with the accessibility of his love and grace. It's not that He is limited to that space or that he doesn't speak and teach and love in the rest of my world and doing, but the sweet communion we've had there seems to hover and permeate with peace, grace and expectation.

A month or so ago, I began to struggle with mosquitoes. I've had a watering system in place for years, but of late, it has bred mosquitoes in abundance. I cannot sit and study without shooing, and slapping and speaking curses and being constantly pulled away from my purpose with the Father. As a result, I've abandoned my sweet spot for random other spots to read and pray. I am not wishing to reenter the works for favor arena, but I find my effort to be tiring work and not blessed with a consciousness of God's presence and voice. The spirit of agitation and loss is overwhelming.

This morning, I realized a spiritual lesson in the whole process. God does not want me to yield to being forced out of a place of blessing and growth. Neither does he want me to be trapped in a place of supposed blessing and presumed growth. I know God is not limited in space and time. He can meet me anywhere. But the effort to enter into a place of rest and trust is a real issue. For me, the pesky insects represent Satan's constant effort to distract and discourage me in hopes that I will disengage. In that light, I asked God what I can and should do.

Hebrews 4:12 - 16 For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account,

Jesus the Great High Priest.

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.