Can’t ignore it [past]; can’t forget it. What you can do is move beyond it.”
–L.C. Matthews (The Promise)
“The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.”
–2 Timothy 4:18 (NIV, 1973)
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If you are somewhat familiar with Greek mythology and history you should recall the Gordian Knot. It was an intricately tied knot dedicated to Zeus and a prophecy connected to the knot said that whoever could untie it would rule Asia. On the scene comes Alexander the Great, who was challenged to untie the knot. Instead of working to untie it, in typical Alexander fashion, he took his sword and slashed through the knot. A couple of things to mention: a tangled mess was cut by the power of Alexander’s sword; the second thing is that the rope was now useless.
Another thought comes from my experiences fishing. There were a few times I had myself, what is referred to as a “backlash.” They usually occurred in closed face spinning reels. In short, it was a tangled nest of fishing line that was a complete aggravation, and often much easier and faster to simply cut it and discard the line rather than take the time to try and untangle it.
To think of that backlash reminds me of the words by Sir Walter Scott, “Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive.” Don’t think of what you have done to deceive, but glance at the great deceiver. From the beginning that has been Satan’s method–deception. What a mess he tries to make of a person’s life. There seems no way to untangle it. Divorce, alcohol, split families, lost jobs, and on and on we could add to the tangle.
Now, let me interject here. I had three “moms” who raised me: my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt Bern. What the world would call a tangled mess, a dysfunctional family–a “backlash”–I thought was normal. In fact, I thought I had it pretty good. Wow, three moms to watch over me and care for me. It was a tangle that brought glee to the deceiver, but there was another Person at work–the Holy Spirit. How many times over my life have I thought and pondered on the words of Paul, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28, NIV)
Whereas Alexander used his power and sword, the Holy Spirit patiently begins to untangle the mess, the backlashed life. Slowly, methodically, and painstakingly He unravels the mess. He doesn’t cut and discard, but uses the life before Him. It may take years, in fact, it may take a lifetime for Him to completely undo the mess of the backlash, the knots that were formed because the devil wanted a life destroyed. Joseph saw this in his life when he told his brothers the truth of his seemingly “backlash” life. “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good…” (Genesis 50:20, NKJV) So don’t be discouraged, the Holy Spirit is working, surely and steadily on each of our lives.
This Mother’s Day, take time and thank God for your life, your upbringing; even though it may have been a “mess” and difficult, be thankful for those involved knowing that God is using it to work out for His glory. I am so thankful for my Mom, my Grandma, and my Aunt.