Be on the alert
I wanted to share on my blog something I posted today on my Facebook page concerning the horrible mass shooting early this morning at the Orlando, FL nightclub:
Each one of my friends here on FB is an individual, interesting, and very unique person in the way you think, believe, live, and approach—or don’t approach—God. I respect each one of you and am glad to be linked up with you in whatever capacity we can connect despite our differences in thinking, believing, living, and approaching—or not approaching—God.
That said, I want to share with whoever reads this something that gripped me this past Thursday afternoon. I had just worked at my church’s vacation Bible school (called JUMP) and was walking along the huge strip mall in Chesterfield Valley, thinking nothing in particular except perhaps how I had just blocked a bevy of 8th graders from jumping line ahead of some 7th graders at the inflatable Bouncy House maze. Of course, after 22 years of teaching 8th grade, I felt right at home bossing around the big guys and gals with a smile on my face.
So there I was, minding my own business when I sensed the Lord command me, “Be on the alert!” I looked around, saw nothing out of the ordinary, and went into quiet prayer/probe mode—my habit when it seems as if the Lord wants to give me specific direction. After a short time I knew He wasn’t indicating any immediate danger; He was letting me know that real trouble was brewing for the near future in various places and was about to spill over. I was not to allow my spirit to cruise on “sleep mode”; He was requiring me to enter a more alert, focused, “antenna up” prayer mode.
I remembered this when I heard of the Orlando nightclub attack this morning. My gut feeling is this: Many places—whether gay bars, churches, synagogues, shopping areas, sports venues, concerts—whatever—are being scoped for targeting. I’m certain that is what I was sensing from God.
What do we do? If you, like me, are a believer, don’t allow yourself to go into “sleep mode” spiritually. Let the Holy Spirit lead you—or restrain you—as you go about your daily life. Might He direct you to cancel fun plans? Yes, if He knows something up the road could place you in danger. Is it possible that He would lead you to pray for someone or something for which you have no affinity? Yes. Perhaps you are the one He will prompt to pray—and another gruesome attack just might get thwarted. Be yourself, live your life, but keep your spirit primed and ready to hear from God so you can pray or change direction at a moment’s notice.
If you don’t view yourself as a Christian—whether you’re not entirely sure about God or you’re fairly convinced He doesn’t exist; whether you hope He’s real or just don’t want to be bothered, do this for me, anyway—as a friend. If you ever get a “funny feeling” about something—perhaps an event or a place, a setting or a person—and you feel sort of uneasy, then back off. Change plans. If you must continue on that pre-arranged path, at least be on the alert. I want you to live out your life and do your thing as only you can do it.
As you probably suspect, I’m praying for you. I believe that no matter who you are, what your worldview may be, or where your life has taken you, you are loved by God, He sent Jesus specifically for you, and He has a plan for your life. For that full plan to take place, you’ve got to be alive—hence, this warning:
Be on the alert.
Dorothy