1 Thessalonians 2:17 Brothers, although we were torn away from you for a short time (in person, not in heart), our desire to see you face to face was even more intense. 18For we wanted to come to you— indeed I, Paul, tried again and again— but Satan obstructed us. Berean Standard Bible
Hello my faithful few...this verse took on new meaning this past week. I contracted a nasty chest cold which made it difficult to breathe and put me into some pretty intense coughing spells. No fun. You've all experienced it. I am much better now, although I am still clearing the last vestiges of congestion out of my lungs as I write this.
Being sick affects the body, which in turn affects the mind and even the soul/spirit. When even one descending domino is in proximity with another, instability is multiplied. So it goes for friends who deal with chronic aches, pains and illnesses. This kind of "time off from work" rarely translates into productivity. Instead, a person languishes in anxious thoughts of what must be done, without the clarity, focus or energy to do anything of consequence.
So, that's where I found myself this past week. I did not write a single blog post. I sure wanted to get them done. But...Satan hindered us.
There's something oddly encouraging about the Apostle Paul with all his anointing and zeal being unable to do something that was clearly in the will of God, because a fallen angel obstructed his plans. What a paradox. And yet, it is empowering in its own way. To know that all of us redeemed ones, great and small, need the Grace of God to even put one foot in front of the other. And that even the best of us still find ourselves in tight spots...through no real fault of our own, but rather because we have a spiritual enemy in this fallen world that has taken aim at us, and will continue to do so until we leave this earth once and for all.
So, this week I was hindered. But, as the great band of theologians named Chumbawamba declared;
"I get knocked down, but I get up again."
Yea, verily...Amen.
Amen!