Blindsided (Part 1)

But he said, “I am also a prophet, just like you. And an angel came to me with a message from God: ‘Bring him home with you, and give him a good meal!’” But the man was lying. So the holy man went home with him and they had a meal together. – 1 Kings 13: 18-19 (The Message)

I recently watched a medical drama, where one of the doctors was unexpectedly thrown into a leadership position because her boss – whom she adored and respected – had to leave due to illness. She felt so inadequate and wanted to rid herself of the interim position as soon as possible.

Given the authority to appoint her next boss, she started the interview process and then came across an esteemed physician of hers. She had followed the doctor’s career, read all publications produced and was shocked that the physician was interested in the hospital’s position. Overtaken by the interviewee’s achievements and hardly interviewing her, she appointed her.

On the new boss’s first day, it became apparent that the new boss had no regard for her predecessor. She intended to invalidate everything that had been achieved by her predecessor and held dear to the doctor that appointed her.

The situation could have been avoided if a proper interview had been conducted. The interviewer might have had an insight into the physician’s intentions and then make a better judgement. Instead, she got carried away by the interviewee’s accolades.

Anytime I read 1 King 13 – the story about the old prophet and man of God – I get upset. However, in a few words, the man of God got blindsided and paid for it. This reminds me of John’s warning, “Dear friends, do not believe everyone who claims to speak by the Spirit. You must test them to see if the spirit they have comes from God. For there are many false prophets in the world.” 1 John 4:1 (NLT)

God has an assignment for every one of us and we are expected to stay focused to achieve our assignments. Sometimes those around us might not understand what God is telling us to do and this shouldn’t discourage or distract us.

Nobody knows it all, no matter who they might be. Even when Jesus was on the earth and narrated the end times signs, he concluded by saying, “…no one knows the day or hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” Matthew 24:36 (NLT)

When the Shunammite woman visited Elisha after the death of her son, he said to his servant Gehazi, “… ‘Leave her alone—can’t you see that she’s in distress? But God hasn’t let me in on why; I’m completely in the dark.’” 2 Kings 4:27 (The Message)

When God instructs us or puts something on our heart, He doesn’t necessarily have to confirm it through others. It’s up to us to know our God and trust Him enough to obey.

According to the dictionary blindsided means to attack where a person is vulnerable. On this Christian journey, only one person tries to do that to us – the devil. And he will use anything and anyone to do it. So, beware!

Stay blessed,

LaraLex