So what happens when you’re finally living in pure Peace and someone comes along introducing chaos?  Shock, surprise, annoyance, pushing back, and maybe a glass of wine?

They might not be the best responses for us to take, but who’s judging?  Especially since I did them all.

I like to think I’m an awesome, loving Christian and that people are healed from their chaos when pulled under my blanket of peace.  I’ve seen it happen, but it wasn’t always a quick process and it didn’t always happen overnight.

Anyway, this chaos came to my kingdom in the form of a little dog.  Our introduction was quick, and his response clear.  He was desperate for his master to save him from this strange place.

Unfortunately, no one paid much attention to him, and an hour later he was left behind while they went sight-seeing for the day.

Crying at the top of his lungs, he ran non-stop through the house, over the furniture, looking out every window and door.  The epitome of severe panic, he wasn’t taking comfort from anything I offered.

Another hour passed, and he still ran full speed as he cried incessantly.  My compassion for him was thoroughly mixed with annoyance for his master.

Flashback, the day before, I’d awakened with extreme anxiety and I can’t remember the last time I felt anxiety like that. It didn’t occur to me that it was a Spirit alert to something on it’s way.  Something that would kick up the dust, stir up some mud, and generally create a little piece of hell on earth right in the middle of my paradise.

Back in the day, I’d use phrases like “the devil is attacking me”.  And I’d launch into long speeches and prayers full of rebuking and binding.  But that was a lot of work, and took a long time for even the slightest cease-fire in the battle.

This is a new era for me and I have new understanding.  So, a new response was in order.

“Father, Help me!”

Instantly, I saw a flash vision of my kingdom on my imagination screen.  And I knew.  This is my kingdom and I must remember that.  It doesn’t belong to anyone else.  So, what exists inside my kingdom is my choice between the two Trees, the Ego and Spirit, the carnal and the spiritual.  This is my choice.

I scrunched my eyes shut tightly, enveloped my face in my hands, and said: “This is my kingdom, peace and joy are my choice.”

Mind you, I don’t blame dogs for troubled behavior.  Animals are often a blank slate reflecting the spiritual state of the master. In addition, I don’t blame his master.  Most people aren’t aware of the chaos within themselves.  I wasn’t aware of it inside myself most of my life. 

Plus, the only tools many Christians are taught is strict behavior modification or a doctrine of devil and demons.  Both deflect away from abundant life.

As a result, people are victim to an illusion that they can eliminate or push away their enemy.  But they can’t, because chaos is a permanent internal companion and the only way to avoid living in it is to choose differently.

As a full fledged member of the “Victims of chaos” group for most of my life, I remember many prayers bouncing off the ceiling.  It’s frustrating.

But, again, this is a new era and a new outlook for me.

With my focus on my kingdom, I choose only resident peace and joy.  Chaos can’t live from that atmosphere.  And I’ll pay attention to signs like extreme anxiety, so the vibrations of peace build up the walls of my paradise.

Paying attention to how Spirit alerts me is an important key while I learn to responsibly rule my kingdom.  Wise royals don’t get complacent and fall victim to whatever wind blows their direction, but rather they keep watch.  One of my best litmus tests for whatever wind is blowing, is Holy Spirit.  He is connected through us all and knows exactly what atmosphere exists inside each person.  He isn’t a careless to guide me.

Nothing in my paradise is broken or missing as a result of this introduction to chaos.  24 hours of endurance brought us through a few more lessons learned.  And my visitors eventually whisked away en masse.

This morning, with coffee in hand, I bask in the absolute goodness and beauty around me.  It isn’t an accident that it’s mine.  It’s not my achievement, but rather His gift.  And each day, I discover a new benefit from the choice He awakened me to see.  I’m not a victim of the chaos within me or anyone else.

I believe, my visitors will experience paradise one day and I hope its on earth.  I also hope its in the lifetime of this dog.

Father is all goodness and light.  And He lives within.

Evil is everything chaotic and broken.  It also lives within.

 “…choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…”  Joshua 24:15

Here’s to our choice. 

Faith