| Under
a cloud
Preparing for the sunrise of freedom
The trouble with living according to our observations of pattern in our lives is that be become prisoners to it. |
Observing
the outlook
We like pattern. God has made pattern
everywhere, day and night, summer and winter, flower petals, birdsong,
everywhere. Whether we mean to or not we look for pattern. Like so many
things that God has made it can be used for corrupt purposes. We see
patterns in good things happening to us or in bad things and we become
afraid of what we have observed. If there has been a pattern of good
things we don’t want to break that pattern so we try to keep on
reproducing the same circumstances, perhaps using the same equipment or
keeping the same things with us. If there has been something bad happen we
try to work out why and if we find a pattern of behaviour of place or time
we may try to avoid those things to try to protect ourselves from that bad
thing happening again. Reasonable, you may think, to try to protect
ourselves. Yes, but only to a point. |
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The trouble with living according to our observations of pattern in our lives is that be become prisoners to it. It may not even be our observations that we live by but those of someone else. Many in our nation are afraid of Friday the thirteenth. Many touch wood, many won’t walk under ladders or open umbrellas indoors. “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free” We do not have to live in accordance with any superstitions once we are Christians. |
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When we let these things into our lives we are living under a very real burden and not under the protection that we like to think. |
Protection Breaking patterns can be very difficult, fear is very real and I would not wish to diminish the emotions many feel when faced with something they are superstitious about. But when we let these things into our lives we are living under a very real burden and not under the protection that we like to think. The only one who can protect us is God Himself. In the coming weeks may I encourage you to think over the following verse, especially if you are confronted with a situation that you are superstitious about. |
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God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present
help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear. (Psalm 46 v1)
Today I am not asking you to give up any of your superstitions. What I am going to do is ask you to pray that God will make you aware when you are a prisoner in fear to something and that He will prepare foundations in your life for future action towards freedom. Will you take on board that commitment today? |
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You pray Loving heavenly father, Your Word says that it is for freedom that Christ has set me free but I believe there are several things in my life that I am not free from. Ones I know about are…[ tell God about any superstitions you are aware of ]. Many times there are things in my life which I have become captive to that I don’t even realise. Show them to me that they may not be hidden anymore—help me to become aware of them in my daily life. I want to receive your freedom and to that end I pray today that you will prepare my heart and mind for change. Giving up things can be challenging and frightening in themselves and I pray that you will help me to get ready to become free of these things that bind me. Prepare me to depend on You for my protection and comfort. In Jesus name. Amen.
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