Article

Mouse in the House!

By Pastor Eric

We had some excitement at home this past week. Dad and I were in the basement watching some Sunday night football and the girls were upstairs doing their thing. All of the sudden, there was a lot of shouting and screaming coming from upstairs. I jumped up off the couch and headed in the direction of the screams. Before getting to the stairs though, I could hear one of my girls shout, “There’s a mouse on the stairs, kill it dad!” I grabbed a book off of the end table as I rounded the corner and sure enough, there was a little field mouse sitting on the stair. Unsure of whether to go towards the screams or take his chances with me, the little mouse froze. 

I thought, now’s my chance. I lifted the book above my head and BANG…I dealt a mighty blow to that little mouse. But before I could see the mess I had just created on the carpeted stairs, one of my girls shouted, “Dad, you hit him with the Bible….Ewwwww!” Sure enough, I did, I brought the smack down with the Holy Bible. Then my daughter Emily shouted, “I think he just got saved dad!” After a chuckle at the thought, I lifted the bible up and that little mouse was looking right at me! Startled, the mouse took off between my legs and headed down the stairs and under the door leading into the furnace room. 

I think the mouse hurt my pride a bit so I gave chase–couldn’t let this little guy beat me! As I slowly opened the furnace room door I heard a loud SNAP!!! Yes, the little mouse had run right into a mouse trap. I’m not sure if he was saved or not, but he was certainly on his way to greener pastures. 

This whole three-minute episode got me thinking. We have all read scripture, heard sermons, participated in school chapels, attended Bible studies, and been moved by worship. We have heard the words, professed what we believe, know what’s good and what is not, and have grown up knowing the truth of God’s amazing and perfect word…but it doesn’t change the way we live! Essentially, we have been HIT OVER THE HEAD with the TRUTH, yet we choose to move towards the dangers God warns us about. Even after knowing, we choose to lurk in the dark corners of sin just waiting for the devil to catch us in his snare. 

God’s word tells us “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” 1Peter 5:8. We are to flee from sin and to run into the direction of God’s truth and love. “Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” 2 Timothy 2:22. We are to take the words we have been hit over the head with and live them out! “Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them” John 13:17.

 As you are “hit over the head” with God’s perfect truth, let it change how you live. Let it give you joy, let it guide you in righteous living, and receive from Abba Father the peace and assurance of eternal salvation! Run, my brothers and sisters, run into the arms of Jesus and there you will find life–life eternal, life in abundance! 

 “As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.” Psalm 18:30

 Grace and Peace to each of you this coming week, and may the Word of God guide you into right living and a right relationship with our Lord and savior and each other!  

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