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From All Sides
Have you ever felt like you are taking hits from all sides? Do you ever feel like the enemy is out there, but don’t know what it is?
Or how often have we been that guard that taunted Jesus? Striking out against someone or something and you don’t even know what you’re fighting?
I’m amazed that these three verses provoked many questions so quickly. My initial thoughts steered to the story of arrest and crucifixion. I thought about a darkened room, lit dimly only by oil or candles. I thought about a blindfolded man stumbling in the darkness, with echoing voices that mocked and the blows to his physical body. I remembered that Jesus chose his time and knew that his passage was of his choosing.
We have all been in a position when we have felt alone and that blows are coming in from all sides. Our instinct is to be strong, or surround ourselves with people that protect us. You rely on your faith in God, community, and yourself.
But have you ever been on the other side of the blows? We are all evolving and want to be better through our relationship with Christ. But have I ever swung blindly against an enemy? I know that I have.
I recognize the sacrifice that Jesus gave for us. We should strive to be on the side of the Man that endured and had solid faith. When times are hard and we feel blows from that unseen enemy, we should take solace in prayer, love, and community. We’ve all been at a place of darkness, but instead of living with the blindfold, let’s face our fears head on and with a sense of kinship. We are not alone in our faith and friends. There is light for us in the face of darkness.
Right on.
Thanks Vicki for peeling back the signficance of this verse…one that I’ve read many times, but haven’t really paused and considered as closely. While reading what you wrote, I was left both convicted and thankful. Convicted of being that guard at times…but more overwhelmed with the thankfulness I have for having a God that loves me, a God that I can pray to, a Lord and Savior that died for me, and a rich community of friends that He’s blessed me with…when I am in those dark places. I was also convicted to pray more dilegently for my sister who is going through one of those deep, dark times. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a relationship with God that she can rest in, doesn’t find solace and power in prayer, and isn’t blessed with friends that will lift her up, challenge her, and point her to Him. Thanks for helping me put more focus in my times of prayer for her and encouraging me to be more available to her during this tough, but hopefully eternally changing time. Thanks again. Also, welcome to CCC…it’s great to have you and your family here alongside us. Take care.
Doug, thaks for the comment. I hope that your sister can find a way, even if it just starts with family and community. Hopefully, the rest will take care of itself.