Ants On My Path...

I am pretty sure every Christian is familiar with the verse :

1Co 10:12
Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.(ESV)

But when you truly think about it, to what extent or regard do you understand the plain words in this verse. A couple of days ago I experienced something which taught me a lesson.

For anyone who has grown up in any country, and has passed through some kind of bush at some point or the other, I believe you should know solider ants. Those small black ants, that have sharp fangs that sting if you are bitten by them. They often walk in armies (after all they are soldiers), i.e over a 100 at a time.

From whatever experience of them you've had, you'll know that stepping on their path isn't necessarily bad news for them, but more for you. Simply because as many of them as possible will cling to you and attack you.

Anyway, as I was walking out on this particular day, I was constantly and consciously checking the ground for ants. This was because I knew it was their season, and you could unconciously fall into their trap. Low and behold I did find a batch, and with pride in my heart that I had found them before they did me, I gallantly walked over them with an "I am a conqueror" look.

Bad idea, I saw the first batch, but my overconfidence in thinking I found their path made me loose sight of the next few steps and I didn't realise there was another batch of soldier ants right ahead. So into them I walked and only merely escaped their fangs when my friend screamed "watch out ".

Now lesson time, if you observe my behaviour, you'll realise I was on the look out initially. On finding the first barrier, I lost my balance due to overconfidence and stopped checking. This singular act almost brought about my downfall, simply because I let down my guard. Luckily enough for me, I had a friend watching.

The Holy Spirit minstered into my spirit and said that's how we Christians so often do. We are on guard one minute, praying diligently, feeding on the word trying to overcome a particular challenge. However, the moment we overcome one challenge,  we feel that's all there is to it. We reduce our deligence to prayers, read the bible less, and in the time we are dozing off, the  enemy does a good job and attacks again. As expected, we lose our ground, shake abit, and if we are not senstive to the spirit enough ,we totally fall into the trap of the devil.

The truth of the matter is, as soliders in Christ it is our duty to always be on guard. Life for anyone is a battle field, with attacks , challenges and various situations always coming our way. Without us constantly training our spirit, when situations come our way, we simply cry, lament and complain.

Eph 6:13
13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.(ESV)

It is our duty to do everything to stand firm for the day of adversity.  Don't take too much pride in overcoming one challenge and use it as a means to neglect the days ahead. As a solider in Christ it is our duty to always be on guard, make use of the Holy spirit, know the place of prayer, understand the place of the word and stay steadfast. 

Isa 62:6
6 On your walls, O Jerusalem,
I have set watchmen;
all the day and all the night
they shall never be silent.
You who put the Lord in remembrance,
take no rest,
(ESV)

Likewise , as Christians we all stand as watchmen of our lives. Taking a look at Isaiah, we see the watchmen being spoken about are on walls. To be on a wall, is to be at a risky edge that needs constant watch and stability. Which means with our lives, we can't attempt to fall asleep or take a break from watching. It is our duty to always be on guard, as seen in the verse above to be alert day and night.

I pray none of us by our behaviours limit ourself, restrict ourself, or bring about our own fall in Jesus name. If this blessed you, please feel free to check other posts on the blog, and also share to your friends as well. This word won't touch anyone if it doesn't reach out to them, play your path, I did mine.

Shalom

What is love ?

I had an interesting yet disturbing experience a few days ago. It is something that happens so often, I am sure you guys would say "what is the big deal?"

A few days, someone professed love to me. I know right, what is the big deal about that ? It's a normal thing in a world that claims it loves.

But then if you sit to think, what really is love ? To see someone with features, characters or attributes you like, and after a while, after observing and noticing them, claim you love them and would like to be with them ?

Is that really what love is all about ? What your eyes like and decide you love ?

I beg to defer. Over the last few months, I think I can say God has taught me love to a large extent.  What love really is, and  what love really should be.

Love is a decision you take, to consciously and continuously stay in love with a person. That is irrespective of what they do, or don't do.

I'll take a note from our very best teacher, God. He made a conscious effort to show His love to the world, irrespective of the sins it was surrounded in. He stayed in love with us, and even made provisions for His son, to die for us, even before we agreed to accept that sacrifice and love Him back. Now that is what I call love.

I know sometimes, understanding God, His ways and acts and then being like Him might seem difficult, but really what else could love be.

1 cor 13: 4- 8, lists various attributes of love. What it is, what it isn't, what it should be, should do, and shouldn't do. Those sentences taken one at a time, and put into practice is a simple guide of/to love.

I am human, and like you I know practicing love the God way might be difficult. But it is what He created us to be, for the best of us. Love is us consciously and constantly making a daily decision to be and stay in love. I.e irrespective of fights, distractions or any other thing that comes in between.

Christ consciously and continuously decided to love the world. When it hated him, rejected him, and even in crucifixion. He knew the end, yet he constantly prayed for the world. Christ showed love, Christ was love.

This therefore means, that love which we first exhibit towards Christ, is the pathway to exhibiting love to others. We can do this by constantly choosing to be in love with God, His word, His decisions. I.e even when we are not getting what we want, or when the enemy brings distractions our way. Love is consciousness, not blindness.

This attitude of love, then reflects in our relationships with people. By us loving them, friends or spouses from the beginning, and preparing ourselves even before we find the love/ person to love. This is seen in the way God catered for us, even before we were born into a world of sin.

Love is a big thing, love is an amazing thing, and love takes understanding. This simply implies, love isn't confined to the worlds definition of : like a girl, tell her you love her, date her. Love is bigger. Love is preparing for the long term and for the best of all. Love like the bible says, is the greatest of all.

And just in case you don't know, don't believe it, or sometimes forget, God's love for you is mega. He loves you and I sooooo much. Don't miss out on God's love, simply embrace it, and bask in the glory of his love for you.

Shalom

#note this piece doesn't capture all of what love is, its simply a tip of the iceberg.