Protected

⁹ I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture. ¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. -John 10:9-10

Sometimes the children's sermon speaks to me more than the regular sermon ever could.  Although I enjoyed both this last Sunday, the children's sermon helped me understand something more deeply. 

It is easy to think that when we are faithful Christians, we are immune to the dangers of the world.  But we know that's not true.  We suffer in this life and Jesus tells us to expect to suffer in this life.  We are not protected from the bad things that others do to us or from pain that comes accidentally or even from the ravages of nature.  We lose our jobs; we are touched by disease and death; we suffer broken relationships.  Whatever happens to the unfaithful can also happen to God's most faithful.  We have no magic bubble around us.

So what does it mean when we read over and over that God will "protect us" and "watch over us," etc?  At first glance, it seems he is sleeping on the job!  Where is my guardian angel when I need him the most??

At Sunday's children's sermon, Pastor Chad had the children act out the gospel lesson with one child being the "sheep," two were "wolves" and the rest were the "fence" with one of those being the "gate."  As the sheep was saved from the wolves by the gate, I felt the Holy Spirit teach me.

We were never meant to be physically or financially or even emotionally protected.  We must live in the world with the world and face all the world has to offer... good and bad.  We are protected though.  We are protected spiritually.  We have put our faith in Christ and he guards our spirits.  The wolves cannot touch us.  We belong to Christ alone.  He is the way and the truth and the life and once we set out on that way, we have his protection. 

Let the wolves howl!  No matter what they do to our bodies, they can never devour our spirits.  Every bad thing will be turned into abundant life... spiritual growth.

Lord Jesus,
You protect us in ways we can't begin to imagine.  Thank you for the abundant life you bring.  Amen.

Joys: Being part of the flock; sleeping through the storm; a day off