A Rat's Tale

 "And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will." 2 Timothy 2:24-26

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In 2004 when the war in Liberia was over and we were able to return, the house into which we were to move was a real handyman's special. In fact, it ended up taking four months to renovate it. 

While these renovations were taking place, we stayed in a local guesthouse. However, there was a major problem with it. Rats. Lots of rats. And they were used to having the run of the place, so our presence there was of no great concern to them. And they especially loved the kitchen. In fact, they pranced through the walls and kitchen cupboards with nary a fear. I found it quite disturbing.

No amount of discussion with the management yielded results, so I decided to take things into my own hands. I bought my supplies and prepared a treat these rodents would not be able to resist—an open-faced sandwich I knew from experience these particular rats would not be able to resist. A cracker was on the bottom, a ring of potato next, and then I topped it with peanut butter. In the peanut butter I sprinkled a generous helping of rat poison. This little "treat" was placed in a corner cupboard, a hub of ratly activity.

When Mark came into the kitchen an hour or so later, I told him what I had done. I proudly led him to the cupboard and opened it with a flourish. And there, to my horror, squatted a big, feasting rat. I screamed loudly and slammed the door shut. 

While it took a couple of days, we were able to rid the house of them. The Bible talks of a struggle against a much more powerful enemy than rats—an enemy not of flesh and blood that seeks to trap/"snare" flesh and blood victims. Ephesians 6:12 says "For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." 

And I mustn't try to win a battle against this enemy, Satan, by attacking the very prisoners he seeks to take. In fact, Second Timothy 2 God tells me clearly how I am supposed to respond to "those who are in opposition"—in gentleness, patience and humility.

Counter-intuitive, but oh-so-amazing! How thankful I am God did not consider this captive the enemy. Instead, He has set me free! In gentleness, patience and humility, may I mimic that amazing grace! 

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