Shortly after 08:00 one morning this week, I found myself travelling north on the A5, my first stop of the day already done. There are lay-bys all along the miles and miles of highways here where truck drivers can pull over for a bit of shut-eye, but most of them were deserted at that time of the morning; most drivers had probably already found their first coffee charging point to start the day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Except for this one spot. As I got closer, I recognised the baby blue Amazon Prime truck, and instinctively my South African heart jolted \u2026 The huge steel doors were wide open and I could see there was not a single thing in the back of that truck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hijacking?
Armed robbery?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“No.” The answer from my British brain interrupted my self-talk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Leaving the truck doors open to show they have nothing of value on board hopefully secured the driver a good night’s rest.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
My mind wandered to the times I thought emptiness was better than fulness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Empty of envy, anxiety, malice, unforgivingness, bitterness \u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For when the enemy sees that I have a truckload of these things, he can use it against me to make me think the Lord doesn’t have a place at His table for someone as laden with sin as me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But if I offload these things often \u2013 if I take it to the Lord myself \u2013 I don’t only deny the enemy the pleasure from my embarrassment, but at the same time, with every drop-off, I’m also confessing that I accept my invitation to his table with gratitude and gladness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
That truck driver would most probably have picked up a new load even before his first garage pie lunch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As the saying goes: “Nothing is certain but death and taxes.”
And sin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\n While we are on this side of heaven, the enemy will constantly use it to drive a wedge between God and us. Or try to, at least.<\/p><\/blockquote><\/figure>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n There is an antidote to this:<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n “But if you just use my words in Bible studies and don’t work them into your life,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n you are like a stupid carpenter who built his house on the sandy beach.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n When a storm rolled in and the waves came up,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n it collapsed like a house of cards.”<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Matthew 7:26-27 (The Message)<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting together and chatting around coffee and a few open Bibles while we encourage each other in prayer is a comfort. When those same discussions flow over into my life outside of my inner circle, it becomes a shield and a sword and, at the same time, also a deep foundation for my faith.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Offload. Your inspiration for the week: God is on the move<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shake the dust off your feet.
Deeper things are waiting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n