Surrender your arms! What the heck does that even mean?
Okay, so most of my blogs are about my writing, even these weird ones because even these end up in my stories in one way of another. And, I can see where this one could be a story in itself. In my dream last night: I’m with family, my brothers, one of whom died a few years ago and I cannot connect with him. Duh. My dogs are also in the dream, running around having fun, playing, of course. But there’s a lot of my family in the dream, who may or may not have anything to do with me. People in your dream always have to do with you! They are a part of you, parts you may not be able to connect with (!) or who you do not have much to do with (you don’t pay attention to). So, outside, in a field there’s a lot of stuff going on with the near homeless (and I’m reading a lot into this right now because of a neighbor and a homeless friend I recently ran into). Then a woman comes by on the hillside who's not part of the family and doesn’t belong (really?). Suddenly, I’m with some other people. You know how dreams go! We’re in a camp where people are turning things in, maybe donating stuff or preparing donations. I don’t recall all of it. _____ Before bedtime, I’d read Malachi 3:10 which says: "Test me! … and I will surely bless you. Good things will come to you like rain falling from the sky. You will have more than enough of everything.” Now, I don’t go to church but the Lord is in my life 24/7. In my writing, I’m constantly looking up scripture to be sure I’m on track. Though I’m writing fiction, I want to honor the Lord with what I’m spewing out about the important lessons a character speaks. So, I ask the Lord, “What can I give? Like the apostle Peter said, 'Silver and gold, I have none. What I have this I give to you.' He gave healing, Lord. What do I have to give?” ____ So, in my dream, a man is sharing his war story when another man behind me, like my neighbor who’s always interjecting something. So finally, I turn and say, “Shut up and let him tell his story.” He does. That’s me, miss straight up and abrupt. But it gets the job done. So, John hands over his rifle, his weapon; it’s wrapped in burlap, and it slams past spattering mud on me, I know it’s intended for me. I wake up. “Lord. You want me to give up my weapons? My anger IOW? How?” _____ I read another blog. Now this is something I and my character in my story would have to learn: Anger is my reaction when someone steps on me, figuratively. I get angry when I imagine what has been done, how, usually a male has trod upon me. I think most of my life I have held on to a right to be understood. These are often the times I get most mad at a male or those around me. After all, I deserve to be understood and treated fairly. Right? But as a follower of Yeshu'a, what are my rights? I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Galatians 2:20 (NKJV) God is calling me/us to a surrender that is so final to lift our head in defense or anger seems insane – ridiculous. I am a bond servant of Adonai, God Almighty. He is my defender. I answer to Him. Whatever wave of attack or injustice – from slander to the guy next door – Adonai’s call is to let it wash over me without a fight - like water off a ducks back. To one who strikes you on the cheek, offer the other also. Luke 6:29 (NKJV) Why would anyone live this way? ______ When I read the Scriptures I hear God saying to me, “You know Me, you give up your life as I did. I’ll show you when and where to lay down your rights. But let’s start with your life, your expectations, your money, your family and friend’s approval, to be successful, to be understood. First, let’s start with these. Just let them go. Turn the other cheek and die to your rights." What if He knows turning my cheek could transform me and possibly the rest of the planet? His selfish people's ridiculous and radical abandonment of rights and instead show His insane love and, in doing so, we would see His face? What if I am missing what he has for me because I want to hold on to my rights and my anger? What if freedom is letting go of the very things I think I must have in order to gain what I want most?
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
October 2024
Categories |