Tuesday, September 9, 2014

Just Another Day In Paradise.

Growing up in sunny Southern California had its benefits. Swimming during Christmas break, beautiful beaches just a short drive away, running into celebs at the local hangouts were just some of the things we took for granted. But there were also some drawbacks.

The home I grew up in was burglarized SIXTEEN times during my childhood.

That’s right - 16 x’s! Once while we were asleep and another time twice in a single day (I guess even thieves get a lunch break!?). We lived in a decent neighborhood in the ‘Valley’. We had bikes, tools, electronics, cameras, jewelry stolen and eventually just accepted that it was the price we paid for living in ‘paradise’.

I was telling this story the other day and realized what I was saying - WE ACCEPTED IT! Like it was some unalterable fact of life! The truth is that we could have bought a vicious dog (our Boston Terrier didn’t get the job done), hired a guard or dug a moat and filled it with laser equipped sharks. But we didn’t. After all, that is what we had homeowner’s insurance for.

Here in rural western North Carolina people often make fun of me because I lock everything, every time. In a town where people still leave the keys in the ignition when they run into the market I’m sort of an anomaly. Oh well, some habits are hard to change. And then I started thinking about how this mirrors our spiritual life. I love how it’s worded in the Amplified Version -

“The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows).” - John 10:10

And here we are trudging through life allowing the enemy to steal, kill and destroy. After all we are saved (homeowner’s insurance). I wonder what we have ACCEPTED that isn’t a part of God’s plan for our lives? I wonder what doors and windows in our lives are unlocked providing easy access for the enemy? Possibly the words we use, the thoughts we entertain, the things we watch or how we spend our time & money? It might be time to DECIDE that being robbed on a regular basis ISN’T an acceptable way to live. 

God's Promises.

Earlier this week I was working on a log cabin I have for sale. As I was driving over to crawl back under the house for the 3rd day this is ...