January 24, 2008
When my girls were young, we would go to band recitals and school plays. The excitement of the kids to perform for mom and dad was sometimes too much for a child to wait for. The only barrier between them was the curtain.
One time the waiting was apparently too
much, because I saw a small hand reach out from behind the curtain and the
corner of the curtain moved a bit. A little boy just couldn't resist and just
had to see what was happening in the audience. A sharp whisper and the face
disappeared backstage.
A short while later the curtain was drawn
and the play began.
The things going on behind stage and in
the audience were both real, even if they couldn't see each other. In the same
way, we are surrounded by a spirit world; it's just hidden from our view.
Most people when pressed will admit to a
belief in some sort of spirit realm. Their perspective on it might be different
from a Christian's view but they do believe the spirit world is out there. Many
people believe in angels and demons, or good and evil spirits even if they don't
profess a belief in God.
The belief in spirits transcends all
borders. It is found in all cultures, across all barriers of time. The belief is
prevalent in both genders, at all ages, in all socio-economic groups and doesn't
discriminate based on education levels.
I believe that God prevents us from
seeing most of what happens in the spirit realm. Perhaps that is a result of the
fall from grace in the Garden of Eden. Perhaps it is to keep us from being
overwhelmed.
There are many glimpses into the world
around us throughout the Bible. In Job we see a picture of God's court.
One day the angels came to
present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said
to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD,
"From roaming through the earth and going back and forth in it." Job
1:6-7 NIV
The world of the spirit is real. It is also a battleground.
For though we live in the
world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish
strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up
against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it
obedient to Christ. 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 NIV
The battle is real, but the outcome is
certain.
Who is it that overcomes
the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. I John 5:5 NIV
Be aware of the battle raging all around
you. Enter the fray with prayer and love, knowing that if you have Christ, you
will be victorious.
Until next time, may your eyes be open to
the reality of what lies just behind the curtain out of view.
Be blessed.
Rememeber there is nothing to fear not even fear itself because "perfect love casts out fear".
Today is the day to perfect your love, you never know who or what will peep out from the curtain tomorrow.
Darrel Mason
But
thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and
through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. 2
Corinthians
Never let the enemy tell you
that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so
great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world.