Stay alert. Watch out
for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking
for someone to devour. (1 Peter 5.8)
Alone, in his boat, he sits
Every Sunday on the lake.
This is his pattern and his pleasure.
He looks to the sky, to the trees
And sees his god.
On shore, his god is not there.
On shore, his work tears him down.
On shore, his family frustrates him.
On shore, bill collectors call him.
On shore, the most he feels is anger.
On the lake, he feels peace
Because he's stopped thinking
And feeling and caring.
He doesn't love
His wife, his kids, his hobbies
Or his work.
He loves his isolation.
Alone with his god, himself.
His god is kind to him.
His god sets standards he can meet.
His god doesn't expect any extra from him:
His god has no sacrifices of time, money.
His god asks for worship that he enjoys:
His god asks for pleasure and rest.
But when the world crushes him
His god is impotent.
His god is ignorant.
His god is nowhere.
His god is shameful.
His god induces guilt.
His god puts the blame on others.
His god has no grace.
His god has no mercy or forgiveness.
His god will tells him he's alone.
His god is angry.
His god tells him to work harder.
His god does not give him any strength.
Or new talents.
His god doesn't give him any peace.
Lions try to isolate the weak among the herd. They don't attack the herd en masse.
When our brothers and sisters in Christ are hurting--physically, emotionally, spiritually--we need to surround them. They shouldn't be isolated. Nor should we isolate ourselves. When isolation occurs, we only listen to ourselves or teachers who agree with us (2 Timothy 4.3).
Therefore, we who have been comforted by God need to comfort others (2 Corinthians 1.4). We can't do this alone; it's much easier to hold another person up when two are doing it together. There is another example from nature: if a Canadian goose has to drop out of the formation because it's weak, injured or sick, another will descend with it. The second goose will stay with the first till it continue on the journey, or it dies. Paul also challenges us in Romans with this admonition to protect the weak among us: "Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don't argue with them about what they think is right or wrong...and those who don't eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them. Who are you to condemn someone else's servants?...For we don't live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it's to honor the Lord...Christ died and rose again...to be Lord both of the living and of the dead...so let's stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall...For the kingdom of God is...a matter of...living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit...So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up" (Romans 14.1-19 abridged).
Let the enemy hear: we will not abandon our brother or sister when they are weak, injured, doubting or sick. You need to hunt someplace else. We have surrounded them. We who are strong will protect the weak. Be gone, Satan!
(If you are believer, get yourself surrounded by a loving fellowship, albeit a church or small group; find a group you can trust. It won't be perfect but it's better than being on your own. Make sure it doesn't abuse you and make you more hurting. Understand the difference between conviction and destruction.)
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