Obstacles...Seen and Unseen

I'm not a morning person.  Yet, here I am up early again this morning.  Why?  Bruce woke me up again.  This morning's 5am alarm was Springsteen's angry anthem, "Born in the USA".  Wow.

My biggest fear yesterday was that I would unconsciously pop something in my mouth without thinking.  I didn't.  I carried a water bottle with me most of the day.

When I came home after work, our "I am Second" bracelets were waiting for me.  The kids are wearing them, also.  My family's support is crucial to my success.  I know I am blessed in that area.

Then I took the kids to get haircuts.  On the way, I noticed that my elbow was bothering me.  Upon closer inspection, I realized that something had bit me--something with fangs.  These fang holes are a good 2mm apart, and there are two sets.  By the time we got to the hair stylist's, a large red feverish 2-inch circle enclosed them.

Great.

There have been articles in papers all over Kansas about the large number of spiders this year--in particular, Brown Recluse.  That may sound a bit paranoid; however, my husband has found several both at work and in our home even though our home has been sprayed specifically for spiders.

As I looked over this big red welt, my mind wasn't thinking as much about the type of spider that bit me as it was thinking about spiritual warfare.  Now, I don't know that Satan is responsible for my spider bites.  However, I do know that it is possible.  Why now?  Because I'm trying to make an impact on others.

Angels and demons?  Don't be ridiculous.

It is so hard to believe in those things we can't see.  Yet we are told over and over again in the Bible that they are real.  In fact, we are made up of body, spirit, and soul.  If you have a spirit, why is it so hard to believe that there are other spirits?  We know so very little about our world...our reality.  Yet, we think we know so much.

Let me ask you, if I professed to be a Christian but didn't live my life for Christ and rested in the false security that going to church each Sunday was somehow equivalent to faith--would Satan mess with me?  No need.  He would already have me.  It's those who live their faith that must fight this spiritual battle on a regular basis.  

So, if you were Satan (Remember, he is NOT God's equal.  He is not omniscient, omnipotent, or omnipresent.) with limited resources and abilities, who would you target for temptation and destruction?

I believe that those who must be the most on guard are those who are reaching out.  My piddly efforts may be bigger than some, but they don't compare to many, many others.  Billy Graham describes it as "living in a perpetual battlefield." (Angels, 1995)

In his letter to the people of Ephesus, the Apostle Paul says, "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood,but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12, NIV)

The spider bites look better this morning.  All is well.  But I do feel like I've received fair warning to be on the lookout.

This journey is not going to be easy.

Final Countdown

I'll admit it.  I'm scared.

I know what I'm like when I'm hungry and it's not pretty.  Thankfully, I'll be leaving for 3 weeks of seminary on day 6 of this journey.  I hope that this will provide the adjustment time I need so that I'm not grouchy with my family when I get back.

On the up-side, I don't have to worry about spending lots of money buying expensive meals while I'm gone.  Right?

In preparation, one thing I've done is cut back my Diet Dr. Pepper intake so that I'm completely caffeine-free prior to Wednesday.  I decided the last thing I needed were caffeine withdrawals along with the hunger.

Another thing I've done is preparation is order my "I am Second" wristband.  Besides being a project that I've followed and appreciated for years, that black band will serve as my reminder that I am fortunate enough to GET to eat the Numana once each day.  I will try to look at this food as a precious gift rather than a sacrifice.  I want to get these things in the right perspective.  As I mentioned in my first blog post, this band represents life--grace!  Grace given to only some chosen ones.

I'm excited about this journey and the insight I will gain through the suffering.  But I am terrified.  Terrified that I can't do it.  Terrified that I won't handle hunger well emotionally. Terrified that physically I won't feel well while away from my family.

Please consider making a donation to Numana based on my perseverance.  For example, "I'll give $2 for each month that you can do it!"  This will encourage me to keep it up while also providing a nice donation to Numana at the end of this project (July 31, 2013) to help them continue their battle against hunger.  It's an honor system, drop me a message or leave a comment with your name and pledge.

And please remember to pray--for me, but even more so, for those who don't choose to live like this.