I woke up early this morning, lay in bed thinking to myself, "It's a holiday today, that's nice ... I don't have to go to work. But what happened to all that soul wrenching stuff I have been experiencing these past few months? Why do I suddenly feel so peaceful this morning?"
As I lay in bed watching the night slowly turn into the light of a new day, I prayerfully contemplated the events of last night, and then it suddenly dawned upon me.
Without realizing it, last night I had dinner with the angels!
Since I was a teenager, I have been passionate about cooking and inviting people, even those who I have just met (strangers) to share a meal at home. And over the years the conversations with guests have gradually matured from the everyday stuff life is made up of, to that which is beyond what we see in the physical realm. Like the soul, the spirit and the very nature of God our creator.
God is spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and truth - John 4:24.
Have you ever experienced a situation where your heart and soul is constantly troubled by the interactions with a certain individual? Someone with a seemingly important title who always appears to be good, especially in their public interactions with you, but underneath that (physical) digital surface, in reality you can sense the (spiritual) sting of their manipulative attitude, their discouraging words and apathetic behaviour in person? And when you learn that this person has a history of negatively impacting others in the same manner, then you know for sure, that you are dealing with the very nature of the evil spirit.
Sometimes, in fact most times, it is hard to discern such people because they are eloquent and appear the opposite of who they really are. As Caspar ten Boom said "Just because a mouse lives in a cookie jar, doesn't make him a cookie."
As humans, we are gullible. We tend to believe what we see, not what we do not see. As a friend once reminded me referring to one such person "he is a wolf in sheep's clothing."
On the contrary, angels are guardian spirits and they have a calm, guiding influence on us. They bring light, peace, encouragement and give hope.
Throughout history we come across people who positively or negatively impact the souls of others depending on the spirits that guide them. John Ortberg perfectly describes the soul and why we must protect it when he says "The soul is not a theological and abstract subject. The soul is the coolest, eeriest, most mysterious, evocative, crucial, sacred, eternal, life-directing, fragile, indestructible, controversial, expensive dimension of your existence."
If this statement is true of our souls, then shouldn't we be more discerning in who we allow to guide and lead us? (leadership)
The appearance of the angels last night were an answer to fervent prayers by many over the past few weeks and their purpose was fulfilled when they clearly revealed the nature of my circumstances (discernment) and assured me of the Peace of God (deliverance).
Now I know why I feel so peaceful this morning, and you also know why I love inviting people over for a meal.
Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! - Hebrews 13:2