Be Thankful for Fleas! (Colossians 4)
Colossians 4.2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving
In her book 'The Hiding Place', Corrie ten Boom recounts her experiences as a prisoner during World War 2. While living in Holland, Corrie and her family were arrested for helping hide Jews from the Nazi's. Her parents didn't survive the horror which followed and Corrie and her sister Betsy were eventually transfered to a concentration camp in Ravensbruck, Germany.
It was a large camp with several oversized and overcrowded barracks. Each barracks housed hundreds of prisoners. On their first day there, Betsy and Corrie were shown their sleeping platform, a wooden base covered with mouldly, foul-smelling straw. Corrie felt something pinch her leg. "Fleas!" she cried! Sure enough, the barracks were infested with them!
Through a miracle they had been able to smuggle a small Bible in with them. If caught, they would be severely punished. Betsy opened the Bible and reminded Corrie that the Word of God instructed to pray earnestly and be always thankful.
As hard as it was, they began to thank God for the fleas. Over the next several months, the sisters began to notice something strange. The guards never came to their barracks! They took courage and began to lead the women in prayer and Bible study right in the heart of a Nazi concentration camp! Through this countless numbers of women came to faith in Christ. Their barracks became a sanctuary and a refuge in the midst of hell.
It was only some time later that they discovered the reason why the guards left them alone. They stayed away because of the severe infestation of fleas!
In her book 'The Hiding Place', Corrie ten Boom recounts her experiences as a prisoner during World War 2. While living in Holland, Corrie and her family were arrested for helping hide Jews from the Nazi's. Her parents didn't survive the horror which followed and Corrie and her sister Betsy were eventually transfered to a concentration camp in Ravensbruck, Germany.
It was a large camp with several oversized and overcrowded barracks. Each barracks housed hundreds of prisoners. On their first day there, Betsy and Corrie were shown their sleeping platform, a wooden base covered with mouldly, foul-smelling straw. Corrie felt something pinch her leg. "Fleas!" she cried! Sure enough, the barracks were infested with them!
Through a miracle they had been able to smuggle a small Bible in with them. If caught, they would be severely punished. Betsy opened the Bible and reminded Corrie that the Word of God instructed to pray earnestly and be always thankful.
As hard as it was, they began to thank God for the fleas. Over the next several months, the sisters began to notice something strange. The guards never came to their barracks! They took courage and began to lead the women in prayer and Bible study right in the heart of a Nazi concentration camp! Through this countless numbers of women came to faith in Christ. Their barracks became a sanctuary and a refuge in the midst of hell.
It was only some time later that they discovered the reason why the guards left them alone. They stayed away because of the severe infestation of fleas!
God calls us all to be vigilant in our prayers. And He wants us to do it with an attitude of thanksgiving. Our ability to do this should have nothing to do with our circumstances but rather we obey simply because His Word tells us to.
When was the last time we stopped complaining about our problems and instead thanked God for them. Maybe our problems aren't really problems, just God's blessing in disguise!
It might not be what we expected, but if God can use a flea to keep His children safe during a holocaust, imagine what He might use to help you!
3 comments:
Colossians 4:5Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. 6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
We are called on to spread the word of God among those who do not believe but we must be gracious and appeal to them for their sake. We do not press ourselves on others for we cannot change their ways. We need only open their eyes and God will work on their hearts.
The old saying of catching flies with honey rather than vinegar is still relevant. We should appeal to the good things God has brought into our lives and show through our attitudes and behaviour that we love our fellow man as God expects. We cannot force or pressure unbelievers as this will confirm their prejudices against us. Use the opportunities that arise to present God's word for their lives but do it with grace.
Col 4:5 "Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity." (NLT)
Like you Kevin I was drawn to this verse and for probably the same reason. Here Paul reminds us what we are to be about in this life. Knowing that our role is limited to presenting the saving power of Christ to those around us releases us from the pressure of actually saving them! I know at first glance that may sound strange but sometimes we can carry a load of guilt when those around us don't accept Christ's gift. We can feel that we've let Him down or even failed Him. When this happens we can lose heart and lose our joy for which Christ died to bring us.
Understanding that our job is to share what we have in our hearts and that only the Holy Spirit can bring about change in their lives allows us to learn to excel in our role and become a valuable tool to Him.
I love the thought that I can play a big part in the work of the Gospel and never have to worry about doing something that I'm just not physically capable of. I know I can leave that part to One who is!! He is more than able!
P.S. Sorry this post is so late but the modem died several days ago and we had to buy a new one. Just catching up now. It's been great doing s2s with you guys - Joseph's blogs have all been superb but I have relished reading the comments that the rest of you have posted. You have all been awesome!! Thanks Joseph you have begun something really good with this - I know now that I can journal and do it consistently. God richly bless you in your ministry!!
This is really good stuff. Been dealing a lot with trying to work very hard with my online ministry. I can thank God for a crazy schedule to do my thing.
I'm adding you to my list to read.
Thanks!
Frank
One Man Revival
onemanrevival.blogspot.com
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