viewoutsidethepew

Today our whole family was to gather for family Christmas and the baptism of our youngest grandson. But…

Across hundreds of kilometres from one side of the province to the other a winter storm of freezing rain, ice pellets, snow and wind made us decide to cancel and stay home. Not everyone in the family agreed with us. After all, “We’re Canadian – we’re tough”.

Courtesy: The Weather Network, Dec. 21, 2013

However, images of cars in the ditch along the highway we have to drive, the weather reporter barely able to stand as she gave the first look outside, the provincial electrical company on high alert for ice-caused power outages, the biggest airline reducing service, and the radar forecast suggest our decision was wise, even if overly cautious.

Jesus doesn’t need followers who are tough. We need lest bluster and more humility. After all, the Bible says, “Therefore, I accept weakness, mistreatment, hardship, persecution, and difficulties suffered for Christ. It’s clear that when I’m weak, I’m strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 God’s Word).

Too often the Family of God think they can stare the devil in the eye and win, which is true at times. But the devil doesn’t fight straight out. Evil sneaks up behind and stabs you in the back. The Destroyer blind-sides you when you least expect it.

Jesus wasn’t fooling when teaching, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Never commit adultery.’ But I can guarantee that whoever looks with lust at a woman has already committed adultery in his heart. So if your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it thrown into hell. And if your right hand leads you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose a part of your body than to have all of it go into hell” (Matthew 5:27-30 God’s Word).

We think we are so tough, and forget that our power over evil does not rise up from our bragging or forced willpower. “I can do everything through Christ who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13 [emphasis added] God’s Word).

Yes, we are deeply disappointed about the family gathering that isn’t, but if any of us had been in an accident we would feel much worse.

So I’ll live with any flak I get.

More importantly, I’ll take all this as a reminder to stay humble before God. If ice can put me in the ditch, my pride, amplified by the devil, can make a lot more trouble than that.

“What a miserable person I am! Who will rescue me from my dying body? I thank God that our Lord Jesus Christ rescues me!…” (Romans 7:24-25a God’s Word).