Ruffled Feathers

"Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." John 13:3-5

Image retrieved from: http://farm4.staticflickr.com/3322/3621669829_edda33ed03_z.jpg

     Nobody likes to feel threatened and many times when a storm approaches our lives, we instinctively become defensive, demeaning, intolerant, arrogant, reclusive or paralyzed in response to it. We fluff up our psychological feathers to fool ourselves and others into believing we are strong and dominant, and humanly speaking, it often works! Instead of sleeping between the prison guards while facing certain demise (Acts 12:6), we stay up wringing our hands, planning our escape, plotting revenge, formulating our defense and bargaining with God; however, although these things can strategically pay off in the natural, all these things speak of our fear, not real power. Did God not promise to give us His power? (Acts 1:8) These responses tell of a life that is not exactly sure who it belongs to, what its destiny is and acutely feels its vulnerability and powerlessness before others so it puffs up at every attack. Our anchor should be the same one of faith that King David held onto when besieged by enemies, "What time I am afraid I will trust in thee." Psalms 56:3 It is when we know without a doubt that we are God's, we can trust Him and we have constant access to His great power that we can smooth our ruffled feathers, whip out our basin and towel (or sword and shield as the case may require) and continue to operate in the confidence that our power is secure in God.