The other day I needed a “chocolate fix”, so I decided to head to Cumberland Farms for some M&Ms (I may have also bought Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, but we will discuss gluttony another day-lol). Cumbies is 1.4 miles from my home, a mere 3-minute drive. In the ~10 minutes I was out and about, I truly felt like the world was trying to end me. I had 2 different drivers pull right out in front of me forcing me to slam on the brakes in order to avoid rear ending them, 1 driver (with no blinker on) turned left in front me as I crossed the intersection- again requiring me to jam on the brakes, and that was just on the drive there. As I was walking from my car to the store, a truck came barreling into the driveway, coming straight at me but at the last minute swerved to avoid hitting me (thanks?). The ride home was just as adventurous, as someone pulled out of a driveway, turning in front of me and, you guessed it, I was on my brakes again. Why do I tell you this? Am I venting? Not at all, as I was never really angry- just curious to see if I was actually going to survive my short but dangerous quest for chocolate. This perilous adventure reminded me of this verse.
John 15:18-21 “If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.”
Do I believe these people were gunning for me because I was a believer? No, but I do not believe it was mere coincidence either (no such thing, in my opinion). Human beings are not the only sentient creatures in this world. There are fallen angels who consider believers in Jesus Christ their enemies and, I believe, they would absolutely “waste” their time by using people to create such a chaotic trek for me. How in the world can I reach such a conclusion, you ask?
Ephesians 6:12 “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”
Now, am I implying that every time you get cut off while driving it is the work of the kingdom of darkness? Of course not, I am just saying that we have enemies who are invisible to our human eyes and have capabilities that we do not know about. Should we be living in fear of them? Nope, rather we should be aware.
1 John 4:4 “Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.”
Why would these beings even bother with me on my short trip to Cumberland Farms? Our enemies- Satan, his minions, and our flesh, as well as the flesh of other people, have a goal; they work to take our focus off of the Lord, His plan, His commandments and, instead, place it on self, the faults of others, the injustices of the world- anything really, just so long as it is not on Jesus Christ. Our enemies will no doubt do their best to thwart us every day. They have no standards, do not play by any rules, and will use whatever and whomever they can to accomplish this goal. The Apostle Paul described how he was hindered by Satan, himself, as he was living his life for the Lord and spreading His Gospel.
1 Thessalonians 2:17-18 “But since we were torn away from you, brothers, for a short time, in person not in heart, we endeavored the more eagerly and with great desire to see you face to face, because we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.”
We all have our very own ministry. Most of us are not traveling the world to spread the Gospel, but we are still commissioned by the Lord to share this beautiful Truth in the context of our very own lives. We do this through both word and deed as we interact with believers and unbelievers, alike, each and every day. We are being observed to see how it is we will react to being treated unfairly. Will we get angry, lash out verbally, or even (gasp) flip off other drivers? Or will we remain calm, remembering that we all have made hair brained, even selfish, mistakes during the day, and treat others with love and patience?
Colossians 4:5-6 “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.”
So, next time you feel like the world is out to get you, remember my dangerous trip to Cumberland Farms and that there is always “behind the scenes” activity in this life. Not only that, there is a reason for each and every situation that we go through. One of which, is you are being observed by humans and angels, alike. We are ambassadors of Christ and, therefore, must be representing Him appropriately and behaving the way we are commanded to in His Word.
1 Peter 1:13-16 “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’”
Be patient, stay calm, and drive safely!
Love in Christ,
Monica Ledford