We sat in the school gymnasium waiting for the annual school play. The
curtains on the stage were closed. The crowd of rushed parents, obligated
grandparents and bored siblings fidgeted, talked and waited impatiently. I
could only imagine the chaos behind the curtain. Every now and then there
would be a stern whisper of direction from the teacher. Never clear enough to
hear the words, just the tone of near panic.
The waiting was apparently too much, because I saw a small hand reach
out from behind the curtain and the corner of the curtain moved a bit. A
little boy just couldn't resist and just had to see what was happening in the
audience. Another sharp whisper and the face disappeared backstage.
A short while later the curtain was drawn and the play began.
The things going on behind stage and in the audience were both real,
even if they couldn't see each other. In the same way, we are surrounded by a
spirit world; it's just hidden from our view.
Most people when pressed will admit to a belief in some sort of spirit
realm. Their perspective on it might be different from a Christian's view but
they do believe the spirit world is out there. Many people believe in angels
and demons, or good and evil spirits even if they don't profess a belief in
God.
The belief in spirits transcends all borders. It is found in all
cultures, across all barriers of time. The belief is prevalent in both
genders, at all ages, in all socio-economic groups and doesn't discriminate
based on education levels.
I believe that God prevents us from seeing most of what happens in the
spirit realm. Perhaps that is a result of the fall from grace in the Garden
of Eden. Perhaps it is to keep us from being overwhelmed.
There are many glimpses into the world around us throughout the Bible.
In Job we see a picture of God's court.
One day the angels came to present themselves
before the LORD, and Satan also came with them. The LORD said to Satan,
"Where have you come from?"
Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming through the earth and going back and
forth in it."
Job 1:6-7 NIV
The world of the spirit is real. It is also a battleground.
For though we live in the world, we do not wage
war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the
world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We
demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the
knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to
Christ.
Be aware of the battle raging all around you. Enter the fray with
prayer and love, knowing that if you have Christ, you will be victorious.
Until next time, may your eyes be open to the reality of what lies just
behind the curtain out of view.
Be blessed.
Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!
Kevin
