A Wild Swing, a bloody mess

A wild swing, a bloody mess

If you corner a animal it is likely to respond with hostility, bared teeth, claws, or fangs. Sam, my Irish setter, is the most docile creature you could imagine, but her hair will rise and a deep growl will rumble from her throat if she feels that she has no way to run. Ever feel cornered, desperate to escape with no apparent way out?  That kind of physical danger is not part of my life experience, thankfully!  But, there are those moments when I feel as though circumstances push me into the corner, cutting me off. What then?

Stress levels were high following the Passover dinner where Jesus spoke at length about His impending death. The disciples were trying to sort out their confusion during the short walk through the darkness to the olive grove where there was a garden called Gethsemane.  Jesus prayed. The disciples fell asleep. With a start they awoke when one of them saw the light of flaming torches coming their way. Tension rose, but Jesus would not run.  Danger came; Roman soldiers and armed temple police, accompanied by Judas. Jesus stepped forward, they fell back. He asked them who they sought. They answered that they were looking for Jesus. Judas moved forward and kissed the Master in betrayal, a signal that led the soldiers to seize Him. Peter, cornered and desperate, pulled a sword from his waistband and took a wild swing at the nearest man, who ducked, but not quickly enough to save his ear which was sliced away. Before further chaos could break out, the Man in custody showed amazing grace and leadership. He told Peter to put his sword away, asked the soldiers to let His disciples go, and then gently healed Malchus’ ear. He was not cornered at all. He was walking in His Father’s will. "Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” (John 18:11, NIV)

Two men, same place; such different responses. One was full of fear, the other full of faith. One was moving to the will of God, the other running from it. One was secure in God’s hand, the other adrift in his own confusion.

Has life apparently cornered you, Christian?
Are the problems overwhelming, the future non-existent?

Is there no way out, no way around?

Don’t flail about, wildly swinging cutting words, slashing in the darkness. Kneel! Find your place in the Father’s will. Wrestle with the emotions. Jesus did! His stress was intense, His desire to walk away from the Cross, but He didn’t.  Instead, He submitted Himself to the plan of god. "Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39, NIV) The way out of the corner was not the path He preferred but it was the way to great glory! 

Here’s a word from the Word. "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." (1 Corinthians 10:13, NIV)  If you own this promise, you will never be cornered by circumstances again.