Stabs come from people I trust most. People who I live and work with, people with whom I share memories of success and struggles, turn in the pressure of trying to survive and hit anything that is within their reach. Pain destroys valued relationships at the edges through petty disputes brought on by threats, internal and external. Trust, faith, and knowledge is painted with a colored brush so often that neither party knows for sure if it is the real thing.
On days when things work, when people get along and complete their assigned jobs on time, these are times when god seems resident within. When reality strikes, it is almost like someone is picking the nickels and dimes out of my pocket – stealing me blind! Since I live in England, it is as if the pence are disappearing outside of my control. Life is painful! People die – young and old. People struggle with disease – all ages and status. People fight to know why they are here – never really quenching a thirst to know God.
“That's why Jesus lived and died and then lived again: so he could be our Master across the entire range of life and death, and free us from the petty tyrannies of each other.” (Romans 14.9)
Today you and I go into battle. A battle to live life and do whatever our tasks are to do. Along the way, people will try to hurt us, block us from succeeding, and grab whatever we have that they think is valuable and accessible. People you trust; close family, and good friends will extract a price – even when they do not intend to hurt you.
There is only one answer, the God of creation, Calvary, power, peace, and mercy. I am so tired of the daily battle yet I know that it will continue for a while yet. My role is simple; press and press on, hold and hold on, fight and fight on. Jesus gives you and I a new life – with fresh armor that builds relationships instead of destruction.
Ready?
