Human Consequences

 

         A family I know is going through some things right now with those ‘members of the family’ who years ago, made the choice to no longer be part of the family, and added some other bad choices along the way.  It’s been many years since anyone has even had contact with them, as they lived their lives separate from what was their extended family.

There are members within the extended family who describe the situation as having between them, ‘bad blood.’  Now that legal matters, due to a death, need to be addressed, it’s causing great friction, since the ‘bad blood’ seems to be rising to the surface, once again.

Ironically, my husband and I were talking, just this morning at breakfast, how bad choices can create separations and have consequences we totally don’t expect. (And we weren’t even talking about the above scenario, with which I started!)  It seems to be a human condition!

To add to this, I was reading a post by a Pastor I follow recently, and came across something I’d never recognized before.  He was talking about the Biblical Jacob who loved Rachel; and how her father, Laban, deceived Jacob into waiting for his bride.  We understand and admit that God has a plan and forgives us for our bad choices through our faith in Jesus, but there are still consequence for our behaviors.

In the case of Jacob, Laban told him their practice is to not marry the younger before the first born.  First Jacob had to work for Laban before he could marry the daughter he loved, and it turned out he was tricked into marrying the older daughter, Leah, first.  What is interesting is how Jacob is also not the firstborn.  He deceived his father and stole the ‘firstborn blessing’ from Esau.  

The parallel of Jacob's deception of Isaac next to the deception of Laban to Jacob, caught me off guard.  I’d read the story many times and had not picked up on that point!  There’s an expression in the Bible that comes from Numbers 32:23, “Your sins will find you out!”   We can hide all kinds of ‘stuff’ from our neighbors, our family, our boss or co-workers, but God sees all and knows all!  Eventually our sins do catch up with us, and there are consequences.

There is so much ‘junk’ going on in the political world today.  Much of it is related to an agenda.  It totally depends on perspective as to whether one thing or another is good or bad.  There are those who would say there’s a good deal of ‘bad’ going on, as our morals and traditions are being destroyed, even to the point of damaging our families, wrecking the institution of marriage, permitting abortion and encouraging gender change. These are considered the tip of the ice burg!  

While it seems our elected politicians are in total control and create laws we may not agree with, we need to remember, sins can’t be contained and swept under a rug forever, any more than those of Laban or Jacob.  There will be consequences.  If not in our earthly domain, certainly in the realm to follow.  It’s about choices, and we need to make Godly ones!

The Battle Lines Are Drawn

 

        There’s been so much going on in the world today, it’s hard to keep up!  Our world has been hit by weather extremes, a COVID pandemic and by political discontent, with upheavals all over the country, from people trying wreak havoc on all that is traditional, and even good.  The inauguration is this week and the military have been called in, extra police officers and other protection protocols to maintain civility!

I don’t have the answers to any of this, but the one thing that is clear to me is how Satan is manipulating our world, to the point of no return.  He and his minions have put into place people who choose to do his will, spreading hate and division, violence and destruction everywhere!  

The battle lines have been drawn.  Satan is trying to convince the world that everything is okay.  It’s perfectly fine to hate your neighbor; or have disdain for the good and right in the world.  He’s convinced ‘the powers that be,’ that to be immoral is the right thing to do; what was once wrong is now right, and to live life with total abandon with only our own wants and desires to be met, being the perfect way to live.  And of course, there are no repercussions for bad behavior.  It’s a game to see who can outwit who!

Last evening my daughter shared with me several commercials she and her family have seen on TV, where Satan has a girlfriend, ‘2020.’  In the commercial Satan is grinning and he and his girl are having the times of their lives.  While he is totally red with satanic horns, his friendly smile with perfect white teeth and pleasant voice belie the wickedness this evil has.  

But one thing I know.  I’ve read the ‘back of the Book’ and I know how it ends! Satan is real.  He’s not a comic hero or commercial icon that should be taken lightly and accepted as ‘the norm’ in our homes as families, with children looking on.  Satan is evil!  He is false and destructive and wants nothing more than to destroy the workings of the Lord.  And he thinks he’s going to win. —-  Well, in theory, because he’s read the back of the Book, too, and he knows —-and he fears God.  But his pride shoves him on into oblivion with a purpose:  to take as many people with him as he can.

Our world has walked over the edge.  We live in a realm of extreme depravity and this is a sure sign Jesus will return soon.  It’s up us as Believers, to recognize his impact and not walk that slippery slope of acceptance to Satan’s plan.  He’s the chief fooler; master deceiver!  He’s causing even devout Christians to not fall on their knees in repentance, of the way he’s worming his way into hearts and minds.

We need to pray for our young people as their world is filled with so many wrongs  as defined by the Bible, that have come to be commonplace in our lives.  When we as adults don’t recognize the evil behind what we see or hear, how can we teach our young ones?  It’s certainly something to think about.

Hiding In Plain Sight

 

         I heard the knock at the door and went to answer.  I caught my breath as I faced a six-foot figure with an ugly, weather beaten face, black, disheveled, straggly hair, a black flowing dress, accompanied by a black cape and pointed black hat; holding a straw broom.  I was terrified, even though I knew who it was!  Thankfully, my husband had gotten word of our guest, just before arrival!

As it turned out the “witch” at my door was a well-educated, college professor who had just left the home of another friend who did not know their guest.  The husband knew his identity, but not the wife.  Since the husband was part of the ruse, the “witch” played the part to the hilt, chasing the wife with “her” broom, right into the bathroom, where my friend straddled the tub in an effort to get away from the intruder.  All the while the husband is rolling with laughter!  

The true identity of the “witch” was exposed, once the total head piece was removed.  But by then, my friend was so frightened by the ugly, menacing face and outfit, even with the removal of the costume, she could not be consoled. The husband and witch, once they realized how upset my friend was, apologized for the ruse.  

Sometimes like the costumes worn for Halloween, which keeps faces hidden from those we don’t want others to see, we try to hide behaviors, and those things we find un-becoming about ourselves.  This is by design because we don’t want people to know who really lurks behind the facade we are presenting.  

When Baby Jesus arrived on the scene over 2000 years ago, he wore no costume, (other than swaddling infant clothes), and even though the scriptures had prophesied the event would happen, was completely missed (or seemingly hidden) by those who had long been waiting for the Messiah!  Most expected a warrior who would put the government in their place and free them from political oppression.  

Details can be most important and sometimes perplexing, even when they are right in front of us.  Jesus, as he grew into adulthood and during his ministry, was questioned sometimes about small details. Many who asked were hoping he’d mess up! 

        In our own lives, there are times when we are asked a question or are just telling a story and the details become fuzzy, causing our response to not be completely accurate.  Time can make the details unclear; and sometimes even when many are witnessing the same event, can be described completely different by each person at the scene.  But Jesus never answered a question without being completely accurate!

Sometimes he answered a question with a question and often spoke in parables.  He said eyes were clouded over so they could not see or understand truth.  Unlike the “covers and costumes” we make for ourselves, hiding those things we don’t want others to see, Jesus taught only truth while he walked on this Earth.  And he left His Word so we could continue to search and discover more about him.

We are beginning a New Year and there are so many events happening daily, which can be interpreted completely different depending on political views, desire to deliberately skew information, or desire for an alternate outcome. I encourage you to dig deep into His Word and uncover all the magnificent truths left for us to learn.  It’s a treasure trove for anyone willing to search; and in these days and times, it’s truth we need!

photo credit: free nativity pictures