21 May

Just Below the Surface

posted by Lisa Huddleston

“See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no root of bitterness springs up, causing trouble and by it, defiling man.” Hebrews 12:16

Crash! In one blinding instant, lightening struck a tree about 50 feet from our house. Peeling bark as it went, the bolt leapt from the tree to the fence post, splitting it into pieces, and then ran along the barbed wire at the bottom sending metal flying like shrapnel. At the gate post, the current dove into the ground finding the wire to our old, long-forgotten, electric dog fence. It followed that wire straight into the house, exploding the control box and frying the outlet, the security system, my laptop and printer, our garage door opener, and the light bulbs in the eaves. Naturally, at that moment, we didn’t know what had hit us. However, after careful inspection, we were able to recreate the scenario I just recounted and realized with dismay that if we had just gotten rid of that old, unused dog fence, we may have escaped with no more damage than a scarred tree and a broken fence.

Okay, I am not really a glass-half-full kind of girl, but, for some reason, I decided to see what good I could get from this experience. Also, my family gleefully pointed out that it was mostly my stuff that was hit—my laptop, my printer, only my garage door opener—so I thought I’d better sit up and pay closer attention. I didn’t want to miss anything important that would cause God to get my attention with something even more dramatic than a lightening strike. So, here’s what I learned.

First of all, things that are left to lie buried below the surface can be dangerous. Jealousy, anger, resentment, bitterness, unforgiveness—all kinds of issues—can be covered over and even forgotten. Yet, when lightening strikes through stress or emotional turmoil, these unresolved areas can explode and cause damage not only to ourselves but to everyone around us. Sudden outbursts of pain and anger can fly like those electrified pieces of barbed wire and woe be it to anyone who finds his way in our paths.

Secondly, it is best to deal with difficult issues as they arise. Ephesians 4:26 cautions, “Don’t let the sun go down on your anger,” and Hebrews 12:17 says, “[Esau] was rejected because he didn’t find any opportunity for repentance.” Many times we wait for that perfect opportunity to come in order to reconcile with someone we have hurt or who has hurt us. That split second of high voltage illumination reminds me that today is the day to set things right. Who knows what tomorrow (or the next second) may bring?

Thirdly, there may be dangerous sub-surface sins and issues in my life of which I am not even aware. Perhaps I have forgotten all about them or I have never seen through God’s eyes how damaging these actions are. Negativity, self-criticism, and insecurity are just a few possibilities. Who knows how many of these potential pitfalls lie just below the surface? God does! We need to ask Him to reveal any “offensive ways” in us (Psalm 139:23-24), and then we need to cut off their power in our lives. If that old fence wire had been dug up or if we had even unplugged the control box from our now melted outlet, perhaps, we could have avoided the majority of the damage that occurred. I am sure there are even more truths to be gained by last week’s experience—“God is My New Security System,” “Life Can Change in a Flash,” “Jesus is the Only Reliable Insurance”—but I will leave those to another day. Right now, it’s time to start digging up old fences and mending new ones.

Father, help me to “pursue peace with everyone” and to rid my life of the destructive “root of bitterness” that can grow when I fail to dig up issues that are hiding below the surface (Heb. 12:14-15). Open my eyes to your truths and give me the willingness to walk where you lead—even if it is a brief, but difficult journey into the past. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Filed in: Crisis, Forgiveness, Sin