Infestation

Today I know God has a sense of humor.  While meditating on the Word (Psalm 1) this morning all of a sudden I was struck with a thought. “How do termites get into a house?”  While I can say that I have wondered about that before I have not personally been affected by termites.  But since the thought popped into my head and I had to be obedient to the Holy Spirit, I decided to do a little research.  The very basic explanation says that subterranean termites enter homes through cracks in the foundation. Sometimes, they even use the holes in concrete blocks to travel through foundation walls. Hmmm…interesting.  Drywood termite infestations typically begin when swarmers locate a crevice in the wood of your home, dig out a little nest and seal themselves inside. Then, they begin producing eggs to build their colony. Within a couple of years, this colony can grow to a size capable of causing serious wood damage in your home.

Like I said I’ve done the research but what does this have to do with me?  I now know more about termites than I ever wanted to know. I sat there for a second and the Spirit said, Did you not just ask me the question, “How did things get so bad?  How did I get to this point?”  Well, yes.  Then comes my light bulb moment.  What things had I allowed to enter into my life through cracks in my foundation?  What behaviors had I decided not to submit to God even though I knew they were not Christlike?  And then we won’t even began to talk about the swarmers that I allowed to hang around feeding me with their gossip and lies (me sometimes doing more than listening but actively participating) under the pretense of friendship, sealing those individuals to me producing negativity, bitterness, envy, anger.  So what started out as a little bit had grown into a lot, doing damage to my foundation.  And at this point I’m screaming saying “Lord I get it! I’m sorry. What do I do about it?” More research.

Here is what I found out.  Although it is difficult to prevent infestations it is not impossible.  Regular maintenance to keep the exterior wood of your home in good condition, combined with proactive treatment measures recommended by a trained expert, can help reduce the likelihood and scope of an infestation.  Another light bulb moment.  So all I have to do is regular maintenance like it says in Joshua 1:8. This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. (ESV)  And not only that but never allow myself to be so sure of myself like it says in I Corinthians 10:12 (Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall) but become totally dependent on God (my trained expert) After all ‘No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it’. I Cor. 10:13.

Termites are often called ‘silent destroyers’, very comparable to the damage done to our lives when we do not perform regular maintenance and monitor the things we ingest (what we read, what we watch, who we listen to).  Most times we don’t even notice the damage done until we see or hear the ‘ugly’ that is coming out of us.  But thank God for grace and mercy.  We are never too far out of God’s reach.  The most important thing is to begin treatment once the problem is recognized.  This may require some deep digging in order to discover the root of the problem.  It may even require we remove certain activities or people from our lives.  But God never requires us to do anything that He doesn’t equip us to do, we don’t benefit from, and He is not glorified.

So today think about the things that have snuck into your life, either accidentally or with open arms.  IF you want your life to change and things to get better for you allow God to begin the necessary treatment to rid you of the termites.  It begins by you submitting to His will.  Total submission. Total control.