Thursday, June 05, 2008

Gloriously "Trapped"

Recently I came across this quiz and decided to see how long I could stay "trapped" in my own home. Trapped is a pretty strong word, however, as I am quite the homebody and would love a few days on end where I did not have to leave the house! The assumption is, I gather, that there would be some sort of natural disaster or Y2K-type event. Which, of course, I don't want. But, I would relish a few days at home! (My dog is now looking askance at me though, having read the quiz over my shoulder and seen himself listed as a potential "food source" by those who developed it. Don't worry Zacchaeus, you're safe.)

How Long Could You Survive Trapped In Your Own Home?
OnePlusYou Quizzes and Widgets

So, how long do you think you could survive "trapped" in your own home? If you had no way to leave, would you feel trapped? I might relish it for a few days or a couple of weeks but... 70 days? What about 370 days? That's how long Noah was on the ark.

This was my reading from the Spurgeon Archive this morning. It is from the story of Noah and based on Genesis 7:16, "The Lord shut him in."

Was Noah "trapped" in the ark? He had no way to leave, so I guess we could see it as trapped, but in reality that was the safest place for him. I love the whole entry, but these words spoke to me so clearly through their imagery:

"Noah was so shut in that no evil could reach him. Floods did but lift him heavenward, and winds did but waft him on his way. Outside of the ark all was ruin, but inside all was rest and peace. Without Christ we perish, but in Christ Jesus there is perfect safety. Noah was so shut in that he could not even desire to come out, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him for ever. They shall go no more out for ever, for eternal faithfulness has shut them in, and infernal malice cannot drag them out."

Many people who are not Christians might view the Christian life as being "trapped," or "shut in." Too confining. Too narrow. Not open enough to new ideas. Too many "thou shalts" and "thou shalt nots." Too closed off from mainstream society. To be sure, humans have added to the Bible in ways that are legalistic and we need to guard against that. But, according to the Bible, it is through the narrow gate that we find salvation, ultimate safety and freedom. Outside the confines of the ark was where the destruction was.

I love how he says that Noah "could not even desire to come out, and those who are in Christ Jesus are in Him forever." What security! Earlier in the entry he points out that God had said to Noah, "Come into the ark." Come. Implying that He Himself was inside as well. You can't stand outside of something and tell someone "Come in." God Himself was with Noah, just as He is with us. So, we are "shut in" with Him. We are safe with Him, and anything that tries to get to us only pushes us heavenward.

I just loved these thoughts today. Whether we are in fact, homebound for a season or out and about wishing for more time at home, let us remember that if we are in Christ we are gloriously "shut in" with Him. We are safe!

4 comments:

Linda said...

Cyndi, I have a very old copy of Spurgeon's "Morning and Evening". It is a tiny red book held together with tape (if I had the money to invest in it I would have it restored by someone who is an expert because it is a real little treasure - it may even be an original publication. I can't find a publishing date in it.). This is my second time reading through it.
Of course I read the same devotional you did this morning. I also thought, as I read it, that I need to get so much better at spending a portion of my day "shut in" with Him. I've gotten very lax about that lately. Hmm....perhaps that is why I'm stuck here in the doldrums :-). I'm such a silly girl.

Sandy said...

I love the imagine of Noah being "trapped." I had never considered that. For Noah, though, I agree that it was good to be trapped "inside." Evil was seemingly all that the Lord saw on the "outside." How frighting!

Cabin fever is not a joke for sure. I love being inside and enjoying the peacefulness of home, but then I'm ready to get out and socialize!

I'm on my way to Colorado to take my turn as "nurse" to our oldest child, a boy, who is, of course, an adult. I sometimes feel "locked inside" when I am there, because without my car, I am at the mercy of others to go...

We are a strange culture here in America...

Blessings to all,
Sandy

Jill said...

Cyndi, We tried the bananna choc. chip muffins and loved them! Thanks for the link!

I did the trapped test and we would only make it 17 days. I think because there are so many of us ;o)

Emily said...

Wow! You've been very busy blogging since I last checked over a week ago! I love the new look btw. I'll try to catch up on all the posts later...right now my respect-worthy husband(I LOVED that post; good reminders and convictions) wants my attentions. Love you!!