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| <~~~ BACK As I sit back now, I recognize fully that I could never have managed to get through those five+ months with Mr. X if God hadn�t intervened. (When Mr. X decided to leave the show two days before preview, I felt a little silly asking God to somehow pull my musical together; after all, doesn�t God have better things to do? But the Lord miraculously answered that prayer by bringing Mr. X back on the stage. There�s nothing quite so rejuvenating as an answered prayer. And it was a good reminder that God cares about all the things we care about--just as any loving parent does.) I also firmly believe that God would not have intervened the way he did if Mr. X had not been a part of my prayers. Yes, it�s very difficult to pray for someone who makes your life utterly miserable. (Unless it�s to say, �Lord, strike that guy down with lightening!�) Yet, after every wretched encounter with Mr. X, the Lord�s words, �pray for those who persecute you,� rang powerfully in my ears. Most of the time, my prayers went something like, �Lord, I don�t know what to pray for Mr. X, but I do know that you�ve commanded me to pray for my enemies--those who persecute me. So I ask your Holy Spirit to intervene for me.� Sometimes I got more specific: �God, Mr. X must be a very troubled, unhappy man. I pray that you�ll provide him with the comfort only you can give, that you�ll fill him with your wisdom and peace, and that he will come to know you.� Model prayers? I�m sure others would be more eloquent and wise. But as difficult as those prayers were to say, afterwards, they felt like some of the most fulfilling prayers I�ve ever uttered. Did Mr. X change? After his major �blow ups,� he did seem more calm, more caring. Yet ultimately, he always reverted back to his cruel, unpleasant behavior. (Who knows? Maybe some seeds were planted in him.) But I don�t for a moment believe God didn�t hear my prayers just because I couldn�t see any real change in Mr. X. I know God heard and acted upon my prayers. I�m quite sure, given the personality of Mr. X, that if I hadn�t been praying for him, he would have been much worse. If you�d like to chalk that comment up to my imagination, I have stronger words for you: The prayers I said for Mr. X did, indeed, have a profound effect�They changed me. I know I�m a stronger woman because of Mr. X. Hmm�Let me rephrase that. I know I�m a stronger woman because God made me one, with a little agitation--er, help--from Mr. X. I could have come away from this situation as many people have in the past--embittered, hardened. Instead, I�ve gained some small bit of wisdom and refreshed faith in the strength of the Lord. A year ago, if someone had asked me if I could live through something like the last five+ months, I would have--undoubtedly--said no. But I did live through it, and I know that if worse comes, I can get through that, too, with the Lord�s help. Isn�t it amazing how one little command (�Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you�) can seem outrageous--even impossible--upon a first (or even 1,000th reading)? But when you put it into practice, you discover it�s not only possible--it works in ways you never even imagined. To me, that sums up all of the Lord�s commands. We may think we have some understanding of them--but we only have the tiniest inkling. �Just do it� is my motto for what God tells us to do. If we just do it, God will not only make the impossible possible, he will work in us in the most amazing ways. This week�s recommendation is The Relapsed Catholic, a blog of news events as they relate to Christianity. I don�t always agree with everything web owner Kathy Shaidle writes, but she always gives food for thought, and points to interesting news stories. You�ll find her site at http://www.relapsedcatholic.blogspot.com Questions Q: What does the Koran say about how Muslims should treat enemies? A: Never having read the Koran (Qur�an), I trotted over to Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry, which has a section on their website about Islam ( http://www.carm.org/islam.htm ). Here�s what they have to say about the Qur�an and �enemies.� �The Qur�an is the single most important authority in all of Islam. It is the scripture given from Allah through the angel Gabriel. Does the Qur�an teach Jihad? Absolutely yes� 1. 'Truly Allah loves those who fight in His Cause in battle array, as if they were a solid cemented structure� (Surah 61:4). 2. �Fight in the cause of Allah those who fight you but do not transgress limits...And slay them wherever ye catch them. and turn them out from where they have turned you out; for persecution is worse than MORE ~~~> |
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