“He makes me as surefooted as a deer, enabling me to stand on mountain heights.” Psalms 18:33 NLT

I saw a cartoon the other day. In it was a stick figure standing at a little stick desk. Above him a sign read, ‘Returns.’ In the next frame another stick figure approached his desk, stating, ‘I’d like to make a return.’
“What is it you would like to return?”
“Twitter.”
“And to whom would you like to return it?” he is asked.
“Lucifer.”

I laughed out loud. Then, I caught myself. The issues of our times are a blaze so intense, sometimes I think our whole world will burn down. Fiery words fly across the internet. Complete strangers call each other mocking names based on political ideals. I am a champion of social media and its capacity to do good, but I am more and more aware of how darkness, anger, and ugliness can also find it’s voice in that public forum.

Further illustrating this molten rage, within a week, REAL lava burst through the earth’s crust and poured in fast flowing rivers, releasing toxic gases and incinerating everything and everyone it its path. Honestly, human anger unchecked can have a similar impact in the world and human relationships. Anger is a toxic stew that becomes stronger and more bitter the more time and attention one gives to it.

There is a safe place for a believer to go in the lava-like storm. Run to Jesus and hide yourself in Him. Fully submit to His rulership. Do not give ourselves permission to spout off in anger towards those who disagree with us. Take EVERY thought captive to the obedience of Christ, so that our words might be seasoned with salt, to make others hungry, not laden with brimstone to make others sick.

Beloved, God is love. His gift of Christ, both in life and in death are an example of what it will take to win a lost and fallen world. If we want Christ to be seen in us, we must first die. We must die to the right to be right. We must die to the quick retorts and angry rebukes. We must die to the negative, combative emotions that pull us in into a dark dungeon where there is no light.

Following Jesus means elevation. For Christ calls us up. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than our thoughts. The way to walking in God’s ways is up. Rise above anger and empty arguments. They win NO one to the cross. Instead, let us take up our cross and follow. His words must be our words; His thoughts, our thoughts.

His blood that was shed on the cross for the sins of the whole world. He is the only one who has the right to be offended or angry with the world. But He chooses to love, and love and love and love. Jesus. May we do the same. Take us up higher, Lord.

~ Debbie Ecker