Several years ago, more now than it probably seems, I was traveling home one evening, well after dark. As I turned onto T. Fee Road something off to the side of the road caught my attention. First, I noticed a big house cat and it was acting a little odd, so I stopped to see what was going on. As I watched from my vehicle, the cat seemed to have something tree’d in one of the small bushes or pine seedlings next to the road. He was toying with whatever it was as if he had a plan, knew he was in complete control and could just take his time. Essentially he was playing with his food.
It turns out that he was tormenting a flying squirrel. I don’t know much about flying squirrels and have only seen a few in the wild in my lifetime. A few things I do know is that Flying Squirrel’s main defense is not to defend at all, but to run, or more aptly to glide to safety.
Flying squirrels can’t fly, but using a flap of skin which connects their front legs to their back legs and body, they glide through the air. When they jump off an elevated object and stretch out their legs, they can glide between branches and trees or down to the ground as a means of escape or simply as a mode of transportation.
Somehow this little rodent had ended up on the ground and had been caught by the cat. As I observed, the cat would bat the squirrel around, hold it down with his paws and then let it go. The frightened squirrel would run a short distance before the big cat would easily catch it again and start his cruel game all over.
The cat ran off when I approached to get a closer look. The little squirrel was so exhausted that I thought the squirrel would not survive, but miraculously he did.
As I pondered the little flying squirrel’s battle of life and death, it reminded me of the battles that every one of us faces at one time or another. The enemy always wants to have the upper hand, he wants us to be under his control and playing by his rules. I want to remind you that God placed the serpent’s neck under our boot heel way back in Genesis and that he is not, nor ever has been the rule maker. His lies and deception are designed to get you to surrender to him, that is where his power over you comes from. The devil doesn’t control anything that has not surrendered to him in some way.
Satan is not the only force at work either, there is another force equally as menacing, that I believe the devil is often falsely accused of or given credit for. And that is the Self-Will of mankind. The man in the mirror is probably the Devils best friend and closest ally.
In my mind, I can see the old forked tailed, slimy devil making his rounds to check on his progress. Some houses he’ll stop by and whisper doubt, the next house he may spread some hate or a seed or two of jealousy. Then he gets to a house where self-will is in control, he just smiles and says “Gregory’s got this, nothing needed from me today, good job.”
God’s Love is the key. He has given us every tool needed to succeed in this life, and his word holds the answers. God never intended His word to be secret, salvation is in the word of God, but I believe it’s the Love of God that illuminates the Word. He never intended us to stumble in darkness. He never intended us to be on an even playing field with sin or the devil.
The flying squirrel’s security is not only in his wings, but even more important is the elevation. Sure he has the same wings on the ground, but they are useless if not a hindrance on the ground. For his wings to work, he must be elevated, living high up in the trees. When troubles come he doesn’t have to panic; he simply dives into the sanctuary of the air that God has built into his existence.
As a Christian, the elevation of our walk is also key to our security. We must dwell in the presence of God always. Loving God first, putting Him First and allowing Him to put us where He will. Not self-righteous, not looking down on others as if we’re somehow better, but merely living where God intended us to live, in His Spirit.
Trying to live in the world, as a Christian, without truly dwelling in His presence is a lesson in frustration and frankly a waste of time. The wings that carry you from place to place and out of danger while living in His will, only cause you to be isolated and not really a part of either world when not in God’s will.
I’m reminded of the seven sons of Sceva in the book of Acts, they wanted to be part of something big but did not have the power within them. They used the right words but had not the authority of the Name. They tried to command a demon in Jesus name without the power of that name within them. The demon possessed man leaped on them, beat on them a bit and drove them away.
How can I live this way? How can I maintain a walk truly in the spirit? Truly reciprocated Love. God’s Love to us is without question. Once I fall deeply, truly, unashamedly, undeniably, head over heels, can’t get enough of His presence, in Love with Jesus Christ then I will live for Him, truly Live for Him. When His Love starts to spill over onto the world around me, then old things will pass away, and all things become new. When His will and unction outweighs the questions, doubts, and fears. I know that we are flesh and bone and prone to fleshly mistakes. And sometimes we fall, but like God allowed me to rescue that squirrel He is never far away and will rescue us from our own folly if we will call on Him.
God bless you richly,
Greg
The Swimming Axehead 