Revealing Hidden Issues Through Communion
Anger is a manifestation of unforgiveness.
So is depression.
And sometimes unresolved hurts push us toward control.
But it stems from a lack of trust in others, ourselves, or God.
So, this morning, I’m talking to God about this.
In Matthew 5:38-42, Jesus teaches us to respond by turning our cheek, giving away our underwear, and walking the extra mile.
It feels like I’ve walked the extra mile for many folks, and it’s wearing me out.
Sometimes, it does feel like there’s a monkey on my back—a mocking spirit that laughs at my gullibility toward other people’s intentional (or unintentional) dishonesty or flattery. There’s shame in being duped and taken advantage of.
What other people do and say is between them and God. It’s not mine to correct or attempt to control. How I live MY life is between me and God. So, when I’m tempted to throw up walls of separation, it says, “I don’t feel safe around you, and I don’t trust you.” Throwing up a wall is a boundary. I can be friendly with everyone, but everyone is not my friend. And all of these thoughts reveal that I’m ruling my life with my own scepter rather than God’s. Ouch.
Psalm 45:6 says, “A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” And goes on to say in verse 7 that if you love righteousness and hate wickedness, God will anoint you “with the oil of gladness more than your companions.”
When Jesus showed up in a dream last week, I didn’t believe what He had to say. I insisted on going to the Father instead, and this revealed a hidden issue with a brother/sister in Christ. Created in His image, we’re all re-presenting Him on earth in our everyday interactions. Unless our vision is clouded and we’re ruling from our own scepters (ruler’s staff).
Some people walk the extra mile with you and are your friends. Those that go the extra mile as the monkey on your back, we’ll, it’s time to “lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1). And this is another good reminder that every area of our life needs to be inspected, evaluated, and decluttered occasionally.
Communion is not just something you do at church. Its reflective and purifying properties are available at any time and place. If you’re not shining with the oil of gladness more than your companions, maybe this is an excellent time to sit with God. Ask Him your hard questions. He can handle it.
