The Event Horizon

My husband loves learning about astronomy. The ideas of the space-time continuum, dark-matter and distant galaxies intrigue him. As he has shared with me the things that he has learned I too, have become interested in them. One of the concepts that has caught my attention is the black hole. I find it hard to imagine such an event but it seems to be something that science is proving to exist. The "event horizon" of a black hole is the point in which its gravity has captured an object and that particular object is lost to the black hole forever. There is no hope for escape from the crushing grip of the black hole's power. As I was considering a certain area of my life recently, I realized that the lies of Satan can be just like this "event horizon".

Ever since I can remember, insecurity has been a common struggle in my life. I tend to question peoples' motives and actions in my life which in turn generally lead to suspicion. All of this is completely because of insecurity of who I am. As I am growing in my relationship with the Lord, I am learning that I am a person worthy of love and that even if no other person out there feels that way towards me, God does! He truly IS sufficient for me! God doesn't make mistakes and therefore, I am perfectly and wonderfully made. However, Satan would love for me to deny this truth. I still find from time to time that thoughts of insecurities invade my mind but I now recognize them as lies from the enemy: Hence, the "event horizon". It is when they enter my mind that I have a choice; to allow them to be captured and sink into my spirit or to kick them out before they reach a point of no return. Lies usually don't travel alone, either! Where there is one there are usually far more and if one is allowed into the black hole of your mind many more will follow!

Through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the power to reject these lies and replace them with God's truth. The lies that Satan is trying to push beyond your "event horizon" may be about relationships in your life, a situation at work, the future of your children's lives, the future of the world and the list goes on. Does he tell you that you aren't good enough for God to love you? Maybe he tells you that you are just fine without God and that you don't truly need Him. Many people struggle with just being "good enough" for society; having a good job, being physically attractive, fitting into the trends of today and being technologically "hip". Whatever area(s) in your life may be prone to the lies of the world, be aware that the minute one crosses the line, it is almost impossible to reject.

The good news is that unlike a black hole's "event horizon", the "event horizon" of our mind can be over-powered...by God. It is through prayer and knowledge of God's Word that will give you the power to kick those thoughts out of your mind. Negativity is not of the Lord, but of Satan. Depend on the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind the truths that you have read and to bring the comfort of God's love.

Read about the armor of God in Ephesians 6:10-18

Unequally Yolked?

Over the years, I have heard this phrase being used to describe a relationship or business venture that involves people who are not like-minded in regards to spiritual things. It never really dawned on me why the word "yolked" would be used. I pictured in my head an egg, of course and thought "Well, I guess like the egg, you have the yolk and the white and they are not the same. One is healthier for you than the other"...and the list continues of their differences. OK, get a good laugh; go ahead, I'll wait here until you are done! I can't believe that it has taken me this long to "get it", but of course the word used is "YOKED" not yolked! Now this makes perfect sense!

As we read in God's Word, the image of oxen being yoked together is given many times. With the proper word in place, being yoked to someone who is not on the same page spiritually would be a problem. Can you envision two oxen yoked together with one wanting to go to the right and one to the left or worse yet, wanting to go in reverse? This just would not work! When we are engaged in relationships, either marital or business, being unequally-yoked IS a burden. For those of you who are in an unequally-yoked situation, you probably know the strain that can develop. If you are submitted to the Lord's will for your life, yet you are also committed to another person who isn't submitted to Christ, there is a serious conflict in the choices that you may make and the way that you come to your decisions. It is no wonder why God would instruct us to be certain that in those committed types of relationships, we be yoked to someone who is being led by the same Spirit.

Jesus says in Matthew that we are to "take His yoke upon us...for His yoke is easy and His burden is light". Even if we are submitted to the Lord, being yoked to a non-believer will lend to a heavy burden at times. God knew this and instructed us accordingly so that we wouldn't experience this conflict. Yes, equally-yoked relationships have their moments of stress and frustration, but that is because our flesh gets in the way from time to time. However, if we are submitted Christians, the yoke of our Lord will lead us to resolution. If you are considering an unequally-yoked relationship, study God's Word and allow Him to reveal to you the dangers and warnings. Usually we move forward in these relationships because we get impatient. We "love them and think that they will change" or we "know that this deal will set us up financially". If love or security is where God is leading you, He will do it according to His Word and His timing. Don't get in a hurry and bind yourself to someone that will become a burden God never intended for you to carry.

In 2nd Corinthians 6:14-18 Paul teaches the new Christians about the dangers of being yoked to non-believers. These verses speak the truth about the dangers involved, but I do want to point out that we are supposed to mingle with non-believers so that God may use us to show them His love and glory. It is in tight personal relationships that we are to steer clear of commitment with them.

Read Matthew 11:28-30 and 2nd Corinthians to see what God’s Word says.