Spiritual Realities #2d – The Power of Choice: What You Sow, You Reap

All About Power

Five months later, word went around the complex that the Association had asked the manager to leave. What you sow, you reap.

He was a Christian. Did he think that the Scriptures wouldn’t apply to him just because he didn’t read them? My bible clearly states that our life is hidden with Christ in God. That said, whether we read the bible or not, whether we do the Scriptures or not, God makes certain that his words do not return to him ineffective, useless, and empty (Is. 55:11).

I did not inquire why the Association had let him go, but I did have an opportunity to share with them the situation that had occurred between the manager and me a year earlier. They told me to see an attorney. I had broken no lease terms to warrant an eviction. I could sue. I wondered why Legal Aid hadn’t told me that!?

So, I considered the Association’s advice. Who had more “right” to sue than I had? However, before that thought could take on life and form, just as had happened a year ago, happened again. Bible verses began to “walk” across my mind: “Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated?” (1 Cor. 6:7, NIV).

Whoa! These were tough questions. I shook my head to clear it. What was God after? Then, Jesus’ words clearly sounded in my mind, “Forgive”. I sighed deeply. Well, I had forgiven, hadn’t I? As I tried to make sense over this tempting detour in my Christian journey, I realized that the Lord was testing me. If I had forgiven, then why was I wasting useless thoughts on seeking restitution through the courts? Wasn’t the Apostle Paul against the same thing occurring in the Corinthian church?

Okay, I got the message. Forgiveness meant a clean slate. My heart was clean and I was determined to keep it that way. Without a backward glance, I tossed out that good-looking temptation. The power of choice was mine, after all; and what I sowed, I would also reap!

Next week: #2e –  The Power to be Wronged: Faith That Purifies Hearts

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Scriptures are taken from the Holy Bible, King James Version, Cambridge 1769. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All rights reserved. Scriptures marked “NIV” are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.

Spiritual Realities #2a – The Powers That Be: Homeless and Hurting

All About Power

bird watching

Adjusting to homelessness isn’t easy. The mental-emotional stresses we daily face are overwhelming. Even now, I’m not so sure that anyone truly “adjusts” to homelessness. Instead, we struggle and we cope. Our daily provisions come from kindhearted ordinary people like yourself, or charitable organizations through whom we become recipients of the Father’s care (Matthew 6:25-34). Jesus, too, depended upon that Same Care when he had no permanent place to lay his head, yes?

As many new homeless people do, my heart grieved over my loss. What did I have left to hold on to except an unseen God in whom I had placed my faith? Faith told me that God had my back. Faith reminded me that God knew where I lay my head. Faith assured me that God shared my sorrow; that he understood my pain, my anger—especially when I wanted to lash out at the powers that could manipulate my lifestyle so freely, so drastically, and so cruelly.

Due to my changed living conditions, new issues surfaced that previously would have remained dormant. I don’t take drugs; I don’t drink; and as a past mental health therapist, I was surprised to find how easily paranoia surfaced in my mind. Whenever I entered stores, the workers seemed to dog my steps, watching me from across the aisle as if I was going to steal. Whenever I strolled about in town, it seemed that cops’ cars tended to pass by me slower than necessary. Was my homelessness so obvious to them all?

More than that there’s absolutely nothing for a homeless person to do during the day. Even worse, if you’re not part of a homeless family or belong to a group of homeless chronics—both for whom care is available—then what do the rest of us have to keep us busy? Nothing. We’re loners. We feel ostracized from the human race of empowered people, who have someplace to go, something to do, and somewhere to live.

At least nighttime was better. I had a safe place to lay my head. By six the next morning, I vacated my sister’s couch, not wishing to abuse her generous offer. Lucky me. Unlike other homeless people, I at least had a place to shower and groom.

Next week: #2b –  The Power to Make Do: A Nomadic Lifestyle