The devil IS in the details PRT 2

Continued from The devil Is in the details  PRT 1

Six years ago I began a friendship with Jason online. This person had a love for God that was invigorating. It was innocent, and raw, tangible; a bit naive, but encouraging. Jason's love for God revealed my own shortcomings, and highlighted his strengths; although we did not talk often when we talked it was always about faith, and helping others.

I had met Jason on a particular website that I frequented because of what I do; I am in crisis outreach and I offer emotional help and support to those in need. Jason, to my knowledge was not a person in need, but had specifically asked me to pray for someone he knew, to which I did, but that prayer also revealed to me that Jason was one who needed God's help.

I had not known anything personal about Jason. He did not reveal much about himself to me. He enjoyed talking to me about God, and that was fine with me. However when I turned to God in prayer, I was shown a very personal side to Jason and I knew God wanted me to tell Jason what I knew, but I didn't. I stayed silent on the one opportunity I had to let Jason know that God knew. What God revealed to me would have gotten Jason's attention and had the potential to help, but I was too worried about my ego. I was anxious that I might loose a friend because of what I knew. I made the situation about me, when the situation was about Jason and his salvation. Time was running out for him, although it was his choice to commit suicide, it was my choice to stay silent, and not say anything. I didn't reveal to Jason what I knew about him because I was too afraid of how it would look.  What I knew of Jason would embarrass him as God revealed to me that Jason was conflicted and had tried to commit suicide a few times before. It has been my experience that if you ask someone who is thinking of suicide, sometimes they can become defensive and scared, and this stops them from asking or reaching out to you for help. ( Not always, but sometimes.)

The devil IS in the details. PRT 1

Continued from 'Is the devil in the details?'

Why is the question we all ask. Why was my son or daughter taken? Why did my dad have to go missing? Why was my friend not found on a well known trail? Why is a question that seems no one can answer.

Why was I not taken yesterday ( Friday June 20) while I sat motionless, alone in my yard? Why are YOU and ME not missing victims but there are countless of others who are?

"Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left." Matthew 24:40-41 

"I tell you, on that night two people will be in one bed one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding grain together; one will be taken and the other left." Luke 17:34

If I could just ask you to lay down what you know about scripture; and lay down the common belief that these two scriptural passages direct our understanding towards a rapture theory, because in truth; they do not.  It's been a common understanding that being left behind is a 'bad' thing. Those that believe in the rapture theory are anxious as they await a time to be whisked away to escape God's coming wrath.  What if the above scriptures were not directing our attention to a time of a 'rapture' but a time of judgement? Then in that case to be left behind is a good thing, and to be taken is -not so much.

Is the devil in the details?

There is a re-occurring issue between these missing person's cases that seems to be a problem  no one wants to address. It lingers like a big ol pink elephant in the room, and as obvious as it maybe, it goes ignored because- many people would get offended.

Who in their right mind likes to be told that they are wrong? But that is the issue- human error.

It is a lack of common sense, good judgment and ill equipped and ill informed people that get themselves into trouble because most people ride the assumption that the worst could never happen to them.