Clued-in Soul

When finally realizing lies in our lives that we have lived by and their affect on us, we realize how deceived we can become.  This song is a powerful declaration of coming out of that shadow into truth:

http://music.theohhellos.com/track/dear-wormwood

I love CS Lewis’s portrayal and exposure of our enemy in Screwtape Letters.  I especially liked these words in the song:

 

But now I understand you and I will not be part of your designs

I know who I am now

and all that you’ve made of me

I know who you are now

I named you my enemy

I know who I am now

I know who I want to be

I want to be whole again

 

“…we are not unaware of his schemes…” 

2 Cor. 2:11

 

How subtly our enemy comes and infiltrates our thinking.  That’s why we need to be aware of his schemes, alert to what’s going on in our souls so we can stand against the lies and face what we’re reacting to and why.   I’m amazed how he still tries so hard to bring us down…and amazed at how easily at times I’m caught off guard.

 

A counselor friend of ours says, “Life gets steeper”.  I was kind of hoping for some slackening on the road into the later years, some ease and maybe a ride up the hill :).

But as we face our own limits, difficult conversations, messiness in our world, I think that keeping ourselves engaged in the basics of caring for our souls is what will help keep us from giving up or crashing and burning.

Reading the account of the 12 spies bringing back news of the land to the Israelites brought this despairing feeling they must have had after realizing they just bought 40 more years in the wilderness because of a scheme against them that they fell for.  If they had only seen the crafty poison they were being infected with, keeping them from what they really wanted, they would have saved a lot of time and regret.  They were duped by the unfavorable circumstances that God often orchestrates so He can show Himself strong as we move forward with Him. They chose to go back to the familiar, to ignore all that they had seen of extraordinary care and power, and to reject where God was taking them.

 

How the enemy wants to escort us off the narrow road by his enticements to a better life elsewhere, an easier way, an answer to a demand.

 

How refreshing is Caleb’s voice saying, ‘No, let’s go into this land, we are able to overcome it! It is a good land.  The Lord will bring us in…’ (Numbers 13:30; 14:7) But unfortunately the crowd overtook and made the decision.  Such a sad scene, when they were all so ready to settle after being in the wilderness for about 2 years.

 

How can you clue in to the schemes against you?

 

What appeal is trying to lure you away from courage?

 “These things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction.” 

1 Cor. 10:11