In classical and medieval times, hot pitch was poured over invaders. This was an early thermal weapon, "which used heat or burning action to destroy or damage enemy personnel, fortifications or territories." Black burning tar, poured over an enemy. Can you imagine this Dear Reader? In our desire to protect ourselves, to ensure that what we have we get to keep, we humans have come up with some astounding ways to torture, wound, maim and kill one another, haven't we? Unfortunately, sometimes man against man is our reality, or so it would seem? What if the battle was of the unseen variety, with sneak attacks from an all but invisible enemy? What if the forces of good vs evil are the battling and duelling agents and we humans are the front line warriors and also the booty at the end of the war? One side would have us believe that we must not fight amongst ourselves, that we are related, brothers and sisters, citizens of the world. The other would pit us against each other, point out to us how very wrong he is, she is, they are-all worth fighting over, even killing one another to prove ourselves righteous.
Lets say you are the warrior Dear One, fighting this battle, this tug of war for souls. Lets also say that you have been fierce and bold, forging forward and making gains, pushing back the enemy lines. You taste victory, you savour the flavour. There is a sense of concurring the enemy and winning, playing on the right team for the right reasons and the right way...until black, hot, burning pitch is poured over you and in your surprise you let out a blood curdling soul screeching scream of utter agony. Stunned, coated and dripping a sulphurous substance, you stand still, unable to move. Drip, drip. The pitch is pooling at your feet and you are transfixed. Stopped. Stupefied. The enemy has managed to halt you. You see this now, as you look up and wonder how to get the tar off, how to stop the burning, how to recover, clean up and gather the courage, the hope, the desire to forge yet again, ahead. Wait, wait a minute. A memory begins to clear the darkness that coats your eyes. This is a battle, you tell yourself, of course the enemy tried to stop me. Of course a weapon was used to try to destroy me and keep me stunned, screaming, suffering and stupefied, OF COURSE. Conviction returns. The tar is still dripping from your body as you hear yourself say "I will never give up, never." And then, of course, there is this from Romans 8:35-39 "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." How powerful is this for you to know in your very being? Will you choose to fear not with the understanding that the Lord is with you and that nothing and no one can separate you from Him? Read and then reread scripture until it sinks into your soul and from there, fear no more.
Lets say you are the warrior Dear One, fighting this battle, this tug of war for souls. Lets also say that you have been fierce and bold, forging forward and making gains, pushing back the enemy lines. You taste victory, you savour the flavour. There is a sense of concurring the enemy and winning, playing on the right team for the right reasons and the right way...until black, hot, burning pitch is poured over you and in your surprise you let out a blood curdling soul screeching scream of utter agony. Stunned, coated and dripping a sulphurous substance, you stand still, unable to move. Drip, drip. The pitch is pooling at your feet and you are transfixed. Stopped. Stupefied. The enemy has managed to halt you. You see this now, as you look up and wonder how to get the tar off, how to stop the burning, how to recover, clean up and gather the courage, the hope, the desire to forge yet again, ahead. Wait, wait a minute. A memory begins to clear the darkness that coats your eyes. This is a battle, you tell yourself, of course the enemy tried to stop me. Of course a weapon was used to try to destroy me and keep me stunned, screaming, suffering and stupefied, OF COURSE. Conviction returns. The tar is still dripping from your body as you hear yourself say "I will never give up, never." And then, of course, there is this from Romans 8:35-39 "Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love? Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or calamity, or are persecuted, or hungry, or destitute, or in danger, or threatened with death? (As the Scriptures say, "For your sake we are killed every day; we are being slaughtered like sheep.") No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." How powerful is this for you to know in your very being? Will you choose to fear not with the understanding that the Lord is with you and that nothing and no one can separate you from Him? Read and then reread scripture until it sinks into your soul and from there, fear no more.
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