The Universal Perfume song marked our lives. It brought us comfort among the many trials we suffered when we found Christ. The Church grew and became stronger day after day. We saw strong and determined assistants. Pastors overflowed with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. One person’s problem was everyone’s problem. It was a time of faith, innocence, joy, and courage.
However, the growth and spiritual maturity of a Christian passes through steep paths, often dark ones too… When Paul was chosen and sent by God, everything happened very fast. By the hand of Paul, God worked great miracles and the greatest revelations of the Gospel were revealed before the eyes of mere sinners, like us. Everything was happening with great progress. The gospel was expanding throughout the surrounding territories and thousands and thousands of Christians were being saved day after day. Then, one fine day, Paul said:
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12.7-10
In the last weeks, the Internet was “bombarded” with venomous outbursts made by people that are corroded with envy, resentment, and have a strong desire for revenge, an unhealthy, monstrous, and petty revenge. As I prayed to the Lord for an answer, just as the apostle Paul did: “Please remove this, Lord…” The Holy Spirit said to me, “These are only thorns in the flesh. Do not remain on this platform of slime and rot.”
At this moment, we received a special revelation about what is happening with the fragrant Rose, which is the Church. Why so many simultaneous attacks? The answer is very simple: to make us choose which “route” our faith will take. There are two extreme positions that can be taken in the face of these events: become depressed trying to find a way to remove or prevent this, which is the route of depression; or a position of indifference: So what? I grew and I’m bothering others because of it, which is the route of pride.
Neither path is correct. Feelings of greatness or depression are natural “satellites” of the soul. They are there, spinning, spinning around us trying to get in the way of our faith. We must not allow ourselves to enter these routes, because when we do, we are entering the path of our soul’s feelings, which is a road to an imminent collision for sure. The Holy Spirit invites us to go further, to understand what or who these thorns are: Messengers of Satan. The Internet has been and will be used to spread the perfume, but there are also some thorns along the way. Satan’s Messengers do not measure efforts to look like what they really are: thorns.
So what is the solution? Use a heavenly transport whose passage is guarded by the One that has prepared it since before the foundation of the world. You can go to a place where there is no filth, scorn, where you can escape from being stung by these affronts and blasphemies:
“…and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” Colossians 1.13
Let the Holy Spirit lead you today into this dimension of spiritual maturity, growth, and serenity. Take possession of the one thing that can help save your faith from going down a route of disaster: the Grace of the Lord Jesus.
“…My grace is sufficient for you…” 2 Corinthians 12.9
This was the answer for Paul. Let this be the answer for us too.
Let’s all have a great day!