A Conspiracy "Theory"

We live in a world of so much hatred and sin that being paranoid just goes with the territory of life. Things we think others might be thinking or doing against us are really taking place more times than not. And we're able to see these things in others not only because it's so common in our society because frankly our hearts are all so much alike. We all struggle with a messy heart, some to different extremes than others. You and I both know there isn't a pure heart in the world, except the one of God himself.

We balk at the very idea of a conspiracy in our society and we label it a mere "theory". In fact, evil and sin are so common in our world that we are far often dismissive of the very idea of conspiracy. Most of us have experienced a time or two where we've vocalized our concerns about an attack we felt on our lives or even our characters. Typically the person we express them to, in my experience, is dismissive of our legitimate concerns, and it seems to me that our society has become hardened to the extent of which Satan goes to in order to destroy any good in a person's heart.

I know this for a fact in my own personal life. As my heart longs for more of Him, the the heat from the battles in and around me get turned up a bit. Coincidence? Hardly. The Bible tells us that there are spiritual wars going on around us that we cannot see. His word warns us that Satan is hell bent on trying to stop us from giving God any glory. And since we are made for the mere purpose of glorifying Him, everything we do is prone to attack.

I hate to hear anyone, but especially a Christian, refer to the fact that people good. Have they not read the Bible? The Bible says there is no good in man's heart except that which God puts in us by His Holy Spirit. We are a rotten, wretched, mean-spirited, sinning race with sin in our minds and in our hearts non-stop. Have you ever stopped to analyze your thoughts against God's word and realized just how ugly most of them are? I have and the outcome was outright embarrassing and disgusting. I'm seeing so much ugliness in my heart as I continue to compare who I am against who He is.

Just when God begins to perform His miracles in me, Satan seems to take notice. More and more ugliness in me surfaces. I often wonder if I'll ever begin to come close to having a truly clean heart. But I am reminded that Jesus Christ died for us because we cannot do for ourselves what He can. His blood continues to pay for my sins daily, and sometimes hourly. We could have very well had a God who made us and stepped back to watch us for mere entertainment, but ours doesn't. His love for us is far more real and pure than any notion of love we could have. It's so amazing that we can't possibly wrap our tiny brains around it.

I'm convicted more and more that Satan does his best to keep us from sharing His love and His glory with the world. And the longer we refuse to accept and take notice, the more we'll get caught up in his tricks. I, for one, can play dumb anymore. I cannot claim ignorance or enjoy its bliss, if there is any truth to the old adage. Satan's increasingly at work around me and it's hard not to notice the fruits of his work. There's more selfishness, anger, bitterness, unforgiveness and drama in the lives of people who pose the mere risk of bringing any glory to our Creator than there is in those who resolve that He doesn't exist.

The Lord's spoken to my heart about this and i can't help but share it. It's time to wake up, pay attention and be aware of what's going on around you. We've been given the word and we won't be able to use the excuse that we didn't know better later. Satan's an expert at keeping his friends close and his enemies closer and if you don't believe me, try to honor God in some way and see if you get any new battles from it. I encourage you to stay awake to the matter and resist his snares. I'm having to learn to do the very same thing.

The Narrow Path

As I was talking to a friend this morning, all bottled up with frustration from some other things that I silently refused to vocalize, the Lord used our topic to shed light on my unspoken frustrations. I suddenly had an image of cars lined up moving ever so slowly alongside an accident. The slow moving traffic was hosed up  as the drivers stretched their necks to see what was happening.

Immediately I began to see another image. This time it was of a car driving along a narrow road. The driver suddenly turned his focus to something else and veered off the road into the danger zone. I suddenly realized this is me. I was veering off the road meant for me by focusing on someone else's ways. Time to adjust my focus--again.

During that time, I heard the words "straight and narrow" and the word narrow began to stand out as though it were light up with flashing lights. Narrow in the moment meant a path that everyone else wasn't taking. It meant tight spots and long bouts where no human could be found, much less relate. It meant focusing on what lies ahead for me, and not on what others are doing. Matthew 7:14 was now more clear than ever.

For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.

To be honest, I had to look this verse up because I couldn't remember the exact words, or even the book in which it was found. As I began to look for it, I was lead to this one too.

Or how can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. Matthew 7:4-5 ESV

These are all clear reminders of the danger we are in spiritually when we start watching others. When we shift our focus, we many times unintentionally adapt to their ways. I, for one, am most guilty of this. But the Bible clearly says that taking the straight and narrow path won't be easy, and that we'll endure many struggles from doing so. But for those of us who take it, the spiritual rewards are far greater than the price we pay in the flesh.

Although sometimes the truth is hard to take, this reminder is exactly what I needed in the moment. And as I think about it, the Lord is always so gentle, yet honest with me. I am so thankful for moments like this whereas no one else could've or would've spoken to me in such a firm, loving, obvious and honest way that leads me off the shoulder and back onto the road that I was meant to follow.