Tag Archives: Ephesians

The Mystery

2 Aug

Hands with Light Shining - Mystery

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: Ephesians 1:9 (ASV)

Back when I was growing up there wasn’t anything better than a good Mystery to fill a Saturday night. I didn’t have TV until I was almost 10, and there were very few shows; reading filled my spare time and sharing it with Nancy Drew or the Hardy Boys was delightful.

The wonderful thing about a mystery is that you are given little bits of information in a venue of intrigue, and through those bits of information, added to as the story unfolds, you can understand an event that took place, or a great truth that is not easily understood, and it all comes to perfect clarity. The “Mystery” of the New Testament is very much the same.

Although the Mystery was in God from the beginning of time it was revealed in a time when the church of Jesus Christ was being birthed and Christians were being persecuted and killed for their faith. Disciples were reaching out to new areas, sharing the word of the Gospel to all who would hear and being imprisoned and tortured for their determination. It was an extremely difficult and exciting time for all involved. New hope was being shared and lives were being changed by the words of those who were willing to place their lives in danger to bring the truth. They brought the secret to the Mystery (Rom 16:25-17).

This Mystery, shared within the precious Gospel, was a truth undiscoverable, except by revelation (Mark 4:11). A truth shared by Jesus to his Disciples and sent into all the world (Mark 16:15). A truth rejected by the Jews of the time, the chosen people of God, not willing to believe that there would be any other people that could ever be as precious to God as they were. A truth revealed that the gentile, the non-Jew, were as precious and loved by God as the Jewish people that He brought into existence and walked daily with, bringing them out of Egyptian slavery, across the wilderness and where He provided for their every need, both on the slave side – wilderness side – and promised side of their lives.

This Mystery, held in secret until a group of people were prepared to place their lives at odds to share it, had been in the heart of God from the beginning of time (Eph 3:9, Eph 6:19-20). A Mystery that says we are ALL precious in His sight (John 3:15-16). A Mystery that says that no matter where you have been, no matter what you have done, God stands waiting for you (Acts 3:19). Anyone, who is willing is welcome to receive the gift of the Mystery – any age, race, creed, conviction, or historical behaviors – all are welcomed into the gift of the Mystery and can become the Children of God. This is, by far, the greatest Mystery of the Bible.

There are other Mysteries in the Bible: The Bride of Christ (Eph 5:30-32), the Wedding Supper of the Lamb (Rev 29:9), the Seven Stars and the Seven Candlesticks (Rev 1:20), and the Woman Clothed in Scarlet (Rev 17:1-7). But of all of the Mysteries, knowing that I am fully accepted and loved by God, born a gentile and of low esteem, is an amazing feeling. Yet, going further, Ephesians 1:9 doesn’t just mention the Mystery, it also mentions that He revealed the Mystery of “His Will” according to “His Good Pleasure” which He has “Purposed in Himself”. He made me a part of His Mystery for His joy, not just for mine.

Thank you Lord for the unraveling of Your Mystery. Thank You for making me fully Yours. Help me to share the revelation of Your gift so that all can receive the love You have been wanting to show them. Glory!

** A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 5

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-3-14

Tags: , , , , , , ,

Redemption

2 Aug

Soda Bottles

“in whom we have our redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence,” Ephesians 1:7-8 (ASV)

As a kid growing up, Saturdays held the wonderful adventure of soda-pop bottle seeking. Sodas came in stout glass bottles and when the empties were returned to the store you received 2 shiny pennies each! My brother and I would search the sides of the roads and trash cans for bottles. With a little imagination and an hour of seeking, we redeemed enough bottle deposits for 2 sodas and 2 candy bars. A perfect way to start the weekend.

In those days redemption was a whole different word to me. We weren’t a church going family, not even at Easter or Christmas. I didn’t understand about generational sin, Heaven or Hell. I did know there was a God, but I don’t remember how I knew. I spoke to the big God often and knew He was there to watch over me. I didn’t fully understand redemption until I began my Christian walk at the age of 38.

When I began to study the Bible I couldn’t get enough. I would dig and research and sit up late hours into the night. The story of Jesus and all that He did touched me to the very depths of my soul. I began to understand redemption clearly, but I could not understand why God would send His Son down to be with men, and I surely didn’t understand why He would send Him down to die for the cleansing of their sins, past, present and future – including mine. It was so hard to understand that God could love us that much, especially in our dirty and broken states. It was/is so humbling.

My God, who measured the waters in the hollow of his hand (Isaiah 40:12), who chose us before the foundations of the earth, who made a way for us to stand before Him holy and without blemish (Ephesians 1:4), who foreordained us unto adoption as his children through Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:5). Our God, loved us so much that He made of His son, Jesus, the perfect sacrifice, eliminating the need for the continual sacrifice of animals (Hebrews 10:10, 17-18). Oh my.

Jesus’ sacrifice gave us the gift of forgiveness from God the Father. Forgiveness, according to His grace, divine unmerited favor, which He made to “Abound” toward us, and yet freely given with “Wisdom and Prudence” (Ephesians 1:8). That tells me that when He first planned our lives, He knew what we would face, what we would do, how we would react, the mistakes we would make and the humility or pride we would face them with – but still He gave us His forgiveness, through grace, with wisdom so that we would learn from our choices and grow in grace, with prudence, to teach us discretion. Plus, He gave it in abundance, not just enough for a day, but enough for a lifetime. He loves us so much that He gave us an out for every poor choice, if we will only call on Him.

Now it becomes our duty, our obligation, to honor that gift and do all we can to walk upright in it. We must receive His grace to be able to give it, abounding/abundantly, to all we encounter. Freely we have received, freely we are called to give (Matthew 10:8), walking this path with forgiveness in our hearts and peace in our soul. Lord, please show us the way.

*A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 4

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-27-14

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Foreordained Us Unto Adoption

2 Aug

Adoption Symbol

“having foreordained us unto adoption as sons through Jesus Christ unto himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, to the praise of the glory of his grace, which he freely bestowed on us in the Beloved:” Ephesians 1:5-6 (ASV)

Back in 1984 God blessed me with a baby boy. I had waited and prayed, waited and prayed, for many years to conceive a child. The joys and the fears, the excitement and the concerns, all came together into an amazing time of motherhood. Unfortunately, the birth was far from normal and the physical damage caused during delivery precluded me from every carrying a child again.

I longed for another child and my son begged for siblings. After 8 years we began fostering 2 little boys, ages 3 and 5, and 2 years later we were blessed in adoption. What an amazing day for our family.

When my 2 sons were adopted into our family they received all of the privileges and blessings that my birth son received. They received unconditional love, a strong Christian home, The understanding and love of Jesus, Christmas gifts, Easter gifts, Valentine’s Day cards, and several Birthday celebrations: their own, the day they came to live with us, and adoption day! With that adoption also came responsibilities: family rules, family decisions, and working around the house with the rest of us. They became “complete” members of the family, fully equal.

In Genesis it is told that Jacob/Israel was becoming sick and frail in his late years. It was Joseph’s desire that Israel would meet his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim (Gen 48:1-22). Joseph asked Israel to speak a blessing over his sons, which he did. Israel spoke an “everlasting portion” to the seed of Joseph (Gen 48:4-5). In Israel’s blessing he gave an extra portion of land for Joseph’s children (Gen 48:22) and called Manasseh and Ephraim as if they were his own children. Israel put his name upon them (Gen 48:16) and they became children of the tribes of Israel. He adopted them to himself, as if they were his own sons. They received all that Israel’s own sons received in their inheritance.

We were foreordained (predestined) to adoption to Jesus (Eph 1:5-6). Before the creation of the world, God knew that Jesus would adopt us into His Kingdom for His “pleasure.” Not just because He would be blessed, but because of the blessing we would receive when He accepted us, chose us, made us acceptable before God. He called our name and we responded by asking him to be our Lord and Savior, as He knew we would before the beginning of time. Immediately we were “Adopted” unto Jesus. Joint heirs with Jesus (Rom 8:17). What a glorious moment! What an honor!

We no longer have to worry about whether we are good enough or what will happen if we mess up tomorrow, we are adopted into the family of Christ (Rom 8:15). God has placed His Holy Spirit inside of us, the Spirit of Christ, making us “sons of God” (Gal 4:5-7). With that adoption comes the incredible blessings of belonging, and also the responsibilities of becoming Christ-like to reach those children that He has called us to.

I praise you Lord for the gift you have given me. Let me ever be mindful of the blessings and the responsibilities that come with that Holy Gift. In Jesus’ precious Name!

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 3

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-12-14

Tags: , , , , , ,

Holy and Without Blemish

2 Aug

Chosen - Holy and without Blemish 7-6-14

“Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love:”   Ephesians 1:4 (ASV)

We all have moments in our lives when we have waited in nervous anticipation as to whether we were chosen. I watched my younger brother stand along a ball field fence as, one-by-one others were chosen for a team, waiting and feeling more defeated. I remember being excited to find out whether I had been chosen for a part in a play, and being so nervous that I may not have been, that I would wait until the school hall was completely empty before I went to the posted list to check. Then there are those job interviews. Yikes! Chosen – what if we weren’t good enough. Chosen – what if no one wanted us.

If only we could grasp the understanding that God chose us, “Before the Foundations of the World” (Eph 1:4), we would have such a different view of who we are. Scripture doesn’t say God chose us after we gave our life to Him, or after we proved we could be “good enough,” or after we had been in the church several years and working multiple ministries, or after we went to Seminary or . . . NO, God chose us BEFORE the Foundations of the World. Before there was light, before there was a sun, before there was a moon or stars or animals in the field or fish in the waters . . . God CHOSE Us! That takes my breath away!

But He didn’t just choose us to be his children, or to be His servants, He chose us to be “Holy and without Blemish before Him in Love” (Eph 1:4). That’s a tough one.

When I look in the mirror I see a lot of blemishes and disappointments and failures. Pressure’s on! How can I possibly be given the ultimate gift of being chosen by God and be such a mess? It can only be because of the Love of God Himself, who allows me to be the person I have allowed myself to be, making a way for me to step out of this moment in time and become all that He has meant for me to be.

God shows us that we must be “washed by the water of the word” (Eph 5:26), cleansing our past and allowing God to cleanse us to the point of being “Holy and without Blemish” (Eph 5:27). A holy priesthood (1 Peter 2:9) cleansed daily through Prayer and the Studying and Application of His Word. Daily preparing ourselves. Daily cleansing away the mistakes of daily life.

We are a chosen people, created to bless God and His precious son (Acts 10:41). A chosen people, set apart, to do the will and works of God (Isaiah 43:20-21). We must remain cleansed to be the hands and feet of God, who will take the Gospel to the hurting and wounded, not forsaking our call, but grasping tightly to the gift God has given us (Matthew 22:14), standing faithfully and committed to what we are called to do, recognizing the precious gift and privilege bestowed upon us (Revelation 17:14).

Lord, please help me to grasp the precious gift you have given me and rise above my own self-doubts of who I am. Help me to study and cleanse myself daily, so that I will always be prepared to step up to what you have set before me, gracefully accepting the call.

*A Journey Through Ephesians –  Chapter 1, Part 2

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-6-2014

Tags: , , , ,

Through The Will of God

2 Aug

Paul on Damascus Road

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints that are at Ephesus, and the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly [places] in Christ:” Ephesians 1:1-3 ASV

Wait. Stop! What? “Paul, an Apostle, of Jesus Christ, Through the Will of God!” Paul?

Let’s step back a little bit in time. There was a man named Saul, of Tarsus, a Pharisee, who “knew” the Torah and Old Testament, being “zealous toward God” (Acts 22:4), believing that these followers of Jesus, these Christians, were an eminent threat to the Jews. Saul, who killed, imprisoned and persecuted the men and women of Christ, without mercy (Acts 7:58), because of his misunderstood faith. Saul who, one day, was on a mission to capture Christians to bring them to punishment when he met Jesus on the Damascus road. Jesus called his name (Acts 22:6), filled him with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17), changed his entire life (Acts 9:15), and created the most persuasive disciple to the Jews, Romans and Greeks. “Paul – – – through the will of God.”

Do you remember the day that Jesus called your name? I will never forget the night I cried out “here am I Lord, please come into my heart.” That night I became one of the “Faithful in Christ Jesus” with little to give, but zealous to learn and grow. I wasn’t called to change nations like Paul was, I was called to touch the wounded and hurting that crossed my path . . . through the will of God.

When God puts His Spirit inside of us, when He puts a call in our heart, whether big or small, it is purposed, it is specific, for our time. We don’t know where the finances will come from, we don’t know if there will be others to help, we don’t even know whether we will be wise enough to make the decisions and speak the words to impact the people God has called us to minister to. But, we do know that the burning is so deep inside to complete the call of God, with the “Grace and Peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ” (Eph 1:2) that we cannot stop.

We lean on Ephesians 1:3, knowing that God has blessed us with EVERY Spiritual blessing to accomplish our task. “Every Spiritual blessing in Heavenly places in Christ,” not just financial blessings, not just wisdom, not just the minimum amount of blessing needed, but with “Every Spiritual Blessing.”

Lord, please help us to run the race you have set before us in full confidence that you run beside us and have given us all we need to finish the call, not matter how large or small, or the mistakes we have made in the past . . . . through Your will.

*A Journey Through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 1

Written by Linda J. Humes

7-3-14

Tags: , , , , , , ,

The Love You Show

2 Aug

Corporate Prayer

“For this cause I also, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which is among you, and the love which ye show toward all the saints, cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;” Ephesians 1:15-16 (ASV)

At some time in their lives most children feel unwanted and that they don’t belong in their family.  I don’t remember ever feeling like I belonged.  There weren’t hugs or kisses on the cheek or “I’m proud of you” comments.  I can often remember thinking that we kids were a chore to be dealt with, nothing more.  After my father’s death my mom remarried, and I had hoped it would change.  There were happier times in the family, when we spent time playing games and sharing stories – but I can only remember one time in my whole childhood that I received a hug and a kiss on the cheek from my mother.

When I gave my life to follow Jesus, He brought me something that I never expected – a new family.  I received hugs and encouragement and a feeling of belonging every time I stepped inside a church door.  It wasn’t an immediate transformation, but after a while I found that I was able to open up and share that same unconditional, “sister/mother” love with others.  A love without strings or expectations.  A love that came from being a member in the body of Christ.

Interestingly, it didn’t matter which church I entered, the acceptance was the same.  There was a strong feeling of family, an understanding that we all have our pains and wounds that we are working through, and a commitment of working together to try to help each other get to the place where we could heal and grow in the call that God had placed upon our lives.  There was a desired commitment to pray for others, known and unknown, to usher the healing balm from the Father’s hand into the lives others.  A delicious gift, freely given and humbly received, on a daily basis.  Through those times of prayer, mountains moved, faith grew, bodies were healed, love was shared, true compassion for others was felt, salvation went forward and people were set free – far more than anyone else – I was set free.

In Paul’s words in the scripture above, he recognizes the special circumstances and compassions that God put into the hearts of the believers (saints) that drew them toward each other in a common goal of sharing the message of the gospel and encouraging each other in love and prayer.  Through their faith they were able to bond together for a common goal of sharing a very unpopular and dangerous message and yet remained compassionate toward other’s frailties; holding each other tightly in prayer.  For the gift of that bond, that relationship, that family of Christ, Paul found strength and honored them all in thanksgiving and prayer.

I see what Paul is speaking of in this text every day.  I see it in today’s church – in the services, the Bible studies, the youth groups, men’s groups, and women’s groups.  There is a drawing together of the body of Christ that cannot be explained by any other term than “family.”  A family of imperfect, but striving and compassionate people, willing to take the time to encourage and pray for their “brothers” and “sisters”, to help them reach a newer and stronger level of faith.

Is it faith that brings us compassion, or is it compassion, birthed inside by a loving God, that gives us the foundation that faith stands firmly upon?  Is it faith that gives us confidence in prayer, or prayer that builds our strength in faith?  Is it the love of the saints that makes us want to pray and encourage others, lifting them up before the throne-room of God, or is it the time spent in the throne-room with God, in diligent and dedicated prayer, that brings us a love for people we may never meet; that breaks our heart for a people that we can only see in the Spirit, and gives us confidence for a true physical, emotional and spiritual healing for those who stand among us?  I don’t know, but I stand before my God with a heart filled with gratefulness for the gift of prayer and a heart filled with compassion for all mankind.

** A Journey Though Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 9

Written by Linda J. Humes

9-14-14

Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Heritage of Hope

1 Sep

sprout in dry desert

“in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be unto the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ:”  Ephesians 1:11-12 (ASV)

Recently I was invited to a new friend’s home for lunch after church.  God has richly blessed this couple and their home was amazing.  Everywhere I looked was just . . . “Wow!”  When I returned home that evening I was flooded with memories of my childhood home.  For days I couldn’t shake it.  Depression set in.  It was a heritage that I could not shake, even though my life is so much different now.

Growing up in the 50’s in a small desert town is a whole world away from the way things are today.  No running water, outhouses (I’m still not very fond of those things), no cooling, only the kitchen stove for heating, bare cement floors, and the backseat out of an old Chevy for a sofa.  Bed was blankets on old steel springs, no mattress.  I remember, many mornings, getting up to my mom melting down icicles on the stove so we could have water.  There was a wind driven fan in the wall that helped bring air into the home during the summer.  We would lay on the cool cement floor under that fan to take naps; mom stuffed a wooden spoon between the blades to make it stop at night.  Meals were jackrabbit, catfish and pinto beans, unless a neighbor brought us a chicken.  My worldly heritage.

I remember telling God that I would never return to an area like that.  In recent years I have walked into homes with similar conditions and physically shook. I told God that I couldn’t be there, I couldn’t think there, I couldn’t breathe there.  His voice came gently, “how can you minister to them if you don’t see where they are from, if you don’t find common ground.”  It was my call to show them the heritage that God held for them, far beyond the physical conditions where they currently existed.

God’s Heritage, created for us before the foundations of the earth, is eternal life (John 3:15).  A life free from pain and illness.  A life free from tears, sorrow, worry and doubt (Revelation 21:4).  A heritage of being an heir with His son, Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17).  A heritage of a mansion, built specifically for us, at the hands of Jesus himself (John 14:2).

When we hear the call on our lives we become partakers with Jesus, reaching out to a lonely broken world (Ephesians 3:6).  We become workers of the gospel, sharing with all the promise of the heritage they have waiting for them, if they would only believe.  We testify and share the very gifts that God has given to us, as He has willed for us to do; as well as those who will follow after.  And in that labor we find fullness of joy (Psalm 16:11), praising and worshipping our God for the gift of His manifested glory in our lives (John 1:14), filled with grace and truth.

Lord, let us remember that we are your hands and feet to this world of hurting and wounded people.  Help us to walk past the difficult memories of our worldly heritage and share a story of hope with those whose lives rest in similar circumstances, giving them hope of a new and wonderful inheritance with You.  Let our testimony of rising above our circumstances be the key to their faith in a new life in You.  Please give us the strength.

**A Journey through Ephesians – Chapter 1, Part 7

Written by Linda J. Humes

8-31-14

Tags: , , , , , , , ,

CRUTCH

15 Sep

Crutch2

Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Ephesians 6:6-7 (KJV)

We live in a rural community, a small town with lots of space.  In the area I live, all the homes are on 1-acre lots, or larger.  It isn’t unusual to see horses and goats wandering in yards – keeping the vegetation under control.  It’s a very comforting sight.  Roosters announce the sun, and passing car headlights in the middle of the night.  Even the occasional donkey bray, louder that I ever expected, piercing the morning quiet, is comforting.  Always makes me chuckle.

We’ve had several years of drought and the lots aren’t scattered with wild flowers, as in years past, but after a monsoon rain, the valley turns immediately green and delightful.  Times come when people are unable to care for animals, for health or financial reasons.  You often see animals for sale or given away to good homes.  Lots overgrow and become fire hazards when the growth becomes dry.  Many people commute a long distance to find a good job and their lots suffer.

Not long ago our lot was to the point where we had to do something.  Even with three healthy boys in the house, between work, school, church and after-school activities, no one had time.  One day I decided enough was enough and created a parental ordinance – all activities were hereby cancelled until the weeds were mowed.

Out came the mower and about 1/16th of an acre later, the wheel busted right off.  Good Grief!  The wheel was a special order, replaced the year before, and just not what we needed to replace right now.  Grumble, Grumble, Grumble!  Been there?

Later in the day I needed to head into town.  Along a side street I noticed an empty motorized wheelchair.  I slowed down to be sure the owner hadn’t fallen out.  There he was, on a metal crutch, legs painfully misshaped, weed-eating the front of his lot.  Oh, my goodness.

Weeds and dust flew around him, but his smile never diminished.  You see, against all odds, and doctor’s reports, he could still do something.  He could get out of the wheelchair he had been sentenced to and make his overgrown lot look beautiful.  No goat, no horse – just a hobbled man on a crutch with a weed-eater.

So many times I have seen my ministry dreams and visions put on hold and I think – I’m getting old, how can I ever see this come to pass.  I read my Bible and pray and wonder, with a shadowing of doubt, whether the ministry that God has burning inside of me will ever get past pen and paper and into reality.  I sit in my self-imposed “wheelchair” and cry out for solutions when God is telling me to get out on shaky legs and lean on the “crutch” of the dream that He’s given me and make something beautiful happen; even if I can only go forward a few feet at a time – like my weed-eating friend.

How many of us sit in “wheelchairs” of doubt, fear, shame, and “I can’ts,” never allowing God to use the gifts He’s birthed inside of us.  God, stop the wheels on the chair I rest in and push me forward toward the goals You have placed in front of me.  Encourage me to take the small steps, every day, toward the finish line that grows nearer with every moment.  Prove to me “I Can.”

Tags: , , , , ,

DEVIL’S TONGUES

2 Sep

Gang Graffiti

 

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,

against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this

world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Ephesians 6:12 KJV

 

What is that written, spray painted on,

Done in the dark, between twilight and dawn.

Devil’s tongues.

—-

Set there before us, to boast, instill fear,

A warning to all, not to come near.

Devil’s tongues.

—-

Driven by Satan, sent on a quest,

Marking the town, choosing the best.

With Devil’s tongues.

—-

Taking it back, that’s why we pray,

Wickedness in high places,

Step out of the way.

—-

Soap, paint and sanding never will stand,

Only sanctification through the Blood of the Lamb.

—————————————

A change in gang activity

can only be made

through prayer.

Tags: , , ,

SKUNKED

2 Sep

skunk

EPHESIANS 5:1 Become, then, followers of God, as children beloved,  (2) and walk in love, as also the Christ did love us, and did give himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for an odour of a sweet smell,

It was about 2 AM and very dark.  My robust Blue Tick Hound, Zeke, was quite agitated and dancing to go out.  Almost as soon as I had closed the door he began howling, barking and running back and forth along the fence line.  Then I smelled it – a burning rubber sort of smell overwhelmed the bedroom.

The first thing I thought of was the chicken coop that we had run an electrical line to.  I looked out the open bedroom window, but the coop was dark – no sign of fire.  I started searching the house, the smell was strongest in our bedroom.  Where could the fire be?

Zeke was still raising a ruckus, which I figured was because he could smell the smoke too.  By now I had my husband and boys awake, helping me check outlets, appliances, the front yard, the back yard, even scan the neighborhood for flames.

I let Zeke in to quiet him down – the smell intensified.  My eyes were tearing and my asthma began kicking up.  Ole Zeke was running from one end of the house to the other end, back and forth, knocking things flying – the other dogs joining in.  The smell kept getting stronger.

The boys reported back that they had searched everywhere, in the coop, neighbors, in the garage, around the yards, and although you could smell it some outside by the fence, it was by far the strongest in my room – then traveling down the hallway.

By now I have disassembled every piece of electrical equipment that had been running, unplugged every air freshener, every light in the house is turned on and still there’s no sign of smoke.

We all agreed that the smell must be coming from outside.  We put all the dogs out, closed the doors and windows, turned off the lights and went back to bed.  6 AM came quickly.

As soon as it was light enough, we began searching around the house.  The smell was incredibly strong – especially about 8 feet down the fence line from my bedroom window.  We called the neighbor over and asked if she’d had a fire in the night – if she was okay.  She laughed.  It wasn’t a “that’s cute” kind of chuckle, it was an outright “You City People” kind of laugh.  We didn’t get it.

“There’s no fire,” she said laughing.  “You’ve been skunked!”

Well, that one hit home hard.  Not only was Zeke skunked, but I let the well “perfumed” critter run back and forth in the house while I looked for smoke, eyes running and lungs swelling.  Good grief!  Consequently we were the first customers at the grocery store, stocking up on tomato juice.  Bath Day!!

It took several days for all the smell to completely go away.  We scrubbed the dogs, scrubbed the carpet (especially where Zeke had been running), kicked the air purifiers to full blast and we waited.  I doubt I’ll ever get the full respect back from the neighbor, she probably still snickers every time she looks across the fence.

This series of events makes me wonder if I don’t handle my faith and my Christian walk the same way.  I spend my time worrying about possible fires when it’s a musky fragrance that’s following me because of unkind words and non-fruitful behavior.  I wonder if Jesus watches me running back and forth from faith to doubt, trying to figure out where the answers to my daily problem are, when all along Jesus just wants me to stop and listen and realize that following Him turns my musky walk into a sweet fragrance that draws others near.

Jesus, help me to hear your call and stop my running to and fro.  Help me to remember that my trust in You is a sweet fragrance of love.

By Linda J. Humes

Written 8-21-2000

Tags: , , ,

Newer Entries →