Facing Walls

                                                                 Facing Walls

                                   Wall:   Something that acts as a barrier or defense

Thought for the Day:  But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:57 (NIV)

     There are many barriers we encounter in life.  Some are self-made, some are erected by others, but a wall or barrier doesn’t necessarily surface in life as an actual structure. Take for instance a roadblock.  When you come upon a roadblock and your desire is to move forward what’s your first reaction?  If you are anything like me, I take a deep breath and begin issuing my dismay of any inconvenience this blockage is having on my immediate plan.  It happened recently as I was walking on my much used, need to breath fresh air, trail.  My regular routine was blocked due to signs, complete with cones and yellow tape, instructing men were working.
     My first response?  What men?  I didn’t see any men working and wanting to reach my designated turnaround point I could walk around these cones and yellow tape.  If I came upon the work crew (which there was no sound of any work being done and it wasn’t lunch time) I would explain the public was not given any notice and we should be warned at our point of trail entry!  Another person reached this point right before I approached and was shaking his head in disgust.  We exchanged a few comments ripping the township for lack of notice to the residents, but inevitably we obeyed and turned around.  
     Why did I think this was such a huge inconvenience?  After all, I lengthened my walk in the other direction and accomplished my walking goal for the day.  So, why the big deal?  Bottom line, we (I) don’t like being inconvenienced or being told we cannot go beyond a barrier not of our making!  It’s human nature.  We simply don’t like being told “no” and it started when we were very young.
     As we age the nuisance of walls and how we react to those annoyances tells a lot about us.  I could have very easily been a better Christian witness to the man I met at the cone wall and put a more positive spin on the incident by reminding him and myself we are blessed to have the ability to walk, to be out and enjoy nature.  After all, I  accomplished my goal even in the midst of an untimely detour.
     But there are other difficult barriers we face this side of heaven.  Bulwarks created due to disagreements in our church body, in our government, with our elected leaders and often because God doesn’t remove our aggravations with greater expediency!  God doesn’t answer to us, my friends, and frequently those aforementioned bulwarks are of human making.  This isn’t the way God purposed our lives to be.  We aren’t living in a world where every single person is given the opportunity to run around like a kid in a candy store grabbing everything he/she desires with absolutely no limits.  We live in a society composed of various races; economic backgrounds; educational levels; religious upbringing; desires and dreams.  It is essential we work together and not run amuck doing what is right in our own eyes without the consideration of others.
     What makes a country great?  Unity.  Working together for the greater good of all and not demanding a “my way or the highway” syndrome.  When people are made to conform without at least having the opportunity to voice concerns and have that voice heard, that’s when the human side shows up in spades.  Unity will never be found or gained when the vast majority of citizens are disregarded and silenced.
     For the believer, those who love the Lord God and follow him faithfully, we are instructed to hold onto our faith, pray, hold to God’s teachings and know that the human/spiritual battle has already been won through the death and resurrection of Jesus.  Whatever befalls the believer God is our strong tower of protection.  We need to take a deep breath, be a stellar witness of His goodness and mercy and when we face aggravating obstacles, pray.  Pray that God will guide us to do what is right, what is true, what is pleasing to Him.

Father God help us as we hurdle hindrances that can easily become stumbling blocks in our Christian witness.  The battle has already been won, death has been defeated, we are headed to our home in glory when breath leaves our body.  But until that day comes may we use our voice, hands, arms, and legs to minister to others in need as You lead us to do so.  Give us the ability to turn all our earthly disagreements into opportunities to be stellar examples of God’s love.  In Jesus’ precious name, Amen!