revlanc@bellsouth.net

Sometimes, when I examine my life it appears to be a series of blunders. Of course, I am my own worst critic and I never cut myself any slack. I don’t really need anyone else to point my mistakes out…I do it like I get paid for it. I also punish myself in one way or another and the real truth of the matter is I hate it when I blunder, yet we are all prone to make mistakes through ignorance or carelessness because we are not perfect--though secretly most of us long to be.  

Recently, I was enjoying some time with the Lord. I actually was quite pleased with myself because I was at the same time plowing through a mountain of laundry and getting quite a bit done. All in all it seemed to be the beginnings of a perfect day. But, perfect days take place in fairy tales or on movies screens and while I was still basking in the joy that I felt from my time with the Lord my perfect day was interrupted--by a blunder.  

I was totally wrapped up in the online bible study I am doing but forced myself to go to the laundry room to put another load of laundry in to wash. When I got to the doorway I could not believe my eyes. There was a huge puddle of laundry detergent surrounding a nearly empty jug that I must have forgotten to put the lid back on lying in the middle of the floor. What a mess…and how dangerous for someone on crutches with only one functioning hand.  

I was just about to begin my mental self-flogging when God dropped something in my heart. He reminded me of the awesome time we had just had together, something that quite honestly I have not experienced enough of lately. He had not only graciously fed my soul but had lifted me from a pit of despair. He then spoke to me though not audibly and said…”blunder or plunder---which will you allow this to be?”

My mind immediately went back to many of the Old Testament stories where the people of God were so richly blessed and then plundered by their enemies. That is the way that he works, you know. He comes only to kill, steal, and destroy and so often we just stand by and let him do his thing. We allow him to rip us off time and time again and there are times I feel like I take a beautiful platter full of God’s richest blessings and hand them right over to the enemy. After all, I need my hands free for my ritualistic self-flogging.

I do not know about you but I am needy in so many areas of my life these days. When I actually can quiet myself long enough to receive anything from God it is worth its weight in gold to me. His workings in my heart and my life are so precious to me…they are treasure to this earthen vessel. That treasure has great value because the enemy always tried to take it from me. Perhaps you can relate to that in your life, too. 

Truth is also something that is very valuable and I am so glad that God spoke this very simple truth to me reminding me that I have the power of choice as well as the power to change. Instead of allowing myself to be plundered because I had blundered, I decided to ask God to help me clean up the mess and continued my fellowship with Him. I made a mistake and just accepted that, I did not allow it to ruin my day and as a result--for once the enemy did not win nor was he able to steal anything from me. It was a very liberating experience for me. 

According to Scripture we are all prone to error. That is a fact and something that we cannot change. What we can change though is the way we react to our mistakes. We can either choose to focus on ourselves and allow ourselves to be plundered because we have blundered or we can choose to continue to focus on God Who knows all about our faults and flaws but still chooses to love us anyway.  

The next time you blunder take a moment to look at the precious treasures that God has given you. Then make the choice to rejoice in spite of your mistakes, knowing that God will see you through…and do not allow the enemy to plunder you.  

Copyright 2003 by Melinda Lancaster