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DAY 14 What drumbeat are you walking to?
Alyssa rubbed her eyes and stretched as the alarm clock rang, again. Fourth day of school and already she was not looking forward to going. “That Josiah, if he flicks a spit ball at me again I’m going to waste him.”
“Rest in Me!”
“Lord this isn’t funny. That’s the third morning in a row you’ve said this. What do you mean?”
Alyssa asked. “Don’t you know how GROSS that is? It isn’t as if it’s the first time, or didn’t you notice how he shoved me into the snow bank last year, yanked off my brand new toque and always calls me ’Preacher”? AACH I’d like to burn his house down, he makes me so angry!”
The still small voice repeated, “Rest in Me!”
“I know, I know, I got that part – but what does that mean? Am I just supposed to ignore him?”
Stumbling Alyssa, got dressed and ate her breakfast, of Cheerios, which did not make her more cheery by the way. The Bible was laid open on the table and her eyes fell on 1 John 2.
Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates his brother is still in the darkness. 1 John 2:9
“Rest in Me, don’t light your own fire!” the Holy Spirit whispered again.
Alyssa bowed her head as tears ran down her cheeks. “God help me please, I know I am a child of light, but it is so hard.”
As she sat there Mom walked into the room, and took the seat next to her and gave her a hug. “What’s wrong sweetie?’
Alyssa hung her head and told her all that she had been thinking and what the Lord had been whispering to her. Mom said, “Do you know what lighting your own fire means?”
“Not really, “Alyssa replied,
“Well, in this case it means that when you choose to hold onto the hurt that you feel from what Josiah or anyone else does, and not forgive them you are lighting your own fire. In other words you are not trusting God, or resting in the truth that God is in control. Therefore you want to take revenge yourself. “ said Mom. “Did you know there is actually a verse in the Bible about not lighting your own fire?’
“REALLY?” exclaimed Alyssa.
“Yes in Isaiah 50: 10-11 it tells us that we should trust the Lord, instead of lighting our own torches. If we're walking in a dark place, a place where we're not sure what is right we need to trust the Lord to light up our path with His wisdom and not use our own light, meaning our wisdom, to find our way. If we don't trust His ways, we will only have sorrow. Look it up sometime.”
“But Mom, that’s not all, Katie didn’t even stand up for me but laughed and is hanging out with another bunch of girls and leaves me alone. My best friend left me alone! How could she DO this to me!”
Mom was quiet, as tears ran down her cheeks as well. “Oh Alyssa, that is so hurtful and I am sorry that this has happened to you. But as you were talking I remembered Someone else that went through this too. Can you think of Who?”
Alyssa was silent for a long time, then lifted her head, “Jesus?” she whispered.
“Yes,” Mom replied. “Because Jesus came to earth and suffered, He understands the pain that we feel. Let’s talk to Him and ask Him to speak to your heart.”
“Jesus, I’m hurting right now. I want to hurt them back like they hurt me. Please help me not to hate Josiah and Katie right now. Please show me what to do. Amen”
Silently Alyssa and her mom waited for God to speak to their hearts. Suddenly Alyssa looked up with a smile on her face. “Mom, you know what Jesus just told me? He said that I was His special daughter and that He loved me. He said he would never leave me or forsake me. He said that I could know that I was His daughter because I was sharing something very special with Him: something that not everyone gets to share, His suffering. He also told me to keep my eyes on Him and to trust Him to take care of it. He ALSO said He is praying for me to be strong! IMAGINE!”
Mom’s face beamed as she listed to Alyssa and replied, “You know what? God brought this verse to mind as we were praying”
Do not take revenge,
my friends, but leave room for God
“Why not ask God right now how to show love and overcome evil with good as it says here?” suggested mom.
“Good idea!” Alyssa responded. “O.K. Lord, can you give us a creative idea of how to show love to Josiah and Katie? I really do want to walk in your ways, and thank you for reminding me that you are with me. Amen”
As they waited, Alyssa remembered how last year at school they had a party at Thanksgiving and how they had ordered Pizza. She could still see how Josiah jumped up and high fived the teacher when the Pizza arrived. “Mom, why don’t we invite them over after school for Pizza?”
1) Can you relate to Alyssa? Have you been hurt or betrayed by a close friend?
During this time of consecration God wants to bring to light these areas and to bring healing. The enemy sees these hurts and whispers lies and this opens the door to his darkness. Remember what Jesus’ mission statement was… to bind up the broken hearted, and to proclaim freedom for captives. Remember Josh’s light in the last post?
The Lord is close to the broken hearted, and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Ps. 34:18
Clay modeling by Grace Weibe
God wants you to walk with a whole heart, not a broken one. Let him chase the dark shadows away. Is that what you want too? Of so, lets pray this together: God thank you that you are a God who is near to all those who are hurting. God can you please shine your light into my life and point out the places that I have been hurt, so that you can fix them and the enemy be silenced. I want all of my heart to belong to you.
2) Maybe you are more like Josiah. Ask the Lord to show you if you have hurt anyone by your actions or words. Ask Him to forgive you and to give you the strength to make it right.
3) Do you like Alyssa did, want to “waste them”. Look up these verses and see what the Bible says. Fill in the blanks.
There is only one_________________, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you-who are you to _____________your neighbor? James 4:12
Therefore, as God
For if you _____________men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also _________you. But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matt 6:14-15
Jesus was perfect yet he was rejected and made fun of. He had all power of heaven and earth, yet He chose to humble himself and not react or retaliate when He was mistreated. Think about it!
When they hurled their insults at him, he______________; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23-24
As sons and daughters of the King, let us follow Jesus example in how we act and react, and bring His Kingdom to earth.
Kids
Consecration call team
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