Are you covered???

As a kid when I was afraid of something at bedtime (a monster, a thunderstorm etc), I would sleep under the covers on my bed. I had a couple of techniques that I used. Sometimes, I would “mummify” myself in my sheets so that no part of my body was exposed to “whatever was out there”. Other times I would cover my entire body and place my head under my pillow. My favorite technique, however, was what I like to call the “impenetrable dome” system. This was accomplished by spreading and then throwing my sheet or blanket into the air, making a parachute of sort, and quickly pulling the sides down to make a dome. I would then hide myself under the dome and be fully covered and protected for the night.

As a kid you may have had your favorite blanket or sheet that served as a “comforter” and “protector”, but for me it didn’t matter. I used whatever was available to cover myself. I fully believed that nothing could “get me” as long as I was covered. My covers were invincible. No monster could rip through them, no robber could break in and harm me (or see me for that matter) and no lightening could break through my protective barrier. I was covered, so that means that I was “hands off” to anything that “meant me harm”.

As an adult, I don’t sleep “under the covers”, but I am still faced with the “monsters” of life which include the monsters of doubt, of worry, of lack, of not achieving success, of hurting my loved ones, of peer pressure, of not being the follower of Christ I should be, of not being the man, husband or father I should be, etc. These “monsters” are much more powerful than the ‘monsters” that I faced as a child, because these “monsters” can come out in the day as well as in the night.

I have found that I still need covers, but I have exchanged my physical covers for spiritual “covers” (or a shield). Psalms 5:12 says

For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love. (New Living Translation)

For You, Lord, will bless the [uncompromisingly] righteous [him who is upright and in right standing with You]; as with a shield You will surround him with goodwill (pleasure and favor). (Amplified Bible)

In the face of my “monsters” I can hide under the “covers” of God’s Favor (Grace) and His Love. His favor is an impenetrable force in my life. It protects me not only from the attacks of the evil one, but it protects me from my “self destructive” tendencies. When I recognize that God has favor toward me, that He is “covering” me and protecting me, I can “boldly go where no man has gone before”. What once appeared as a “Leap of Faith” begins to look like a baby step as I look at my destiny through the eyes of the Most High.

I thank God for being full of Grace (unmerited favor) and with Love (unconditional acceptance and sacrifice). There isn’t a “monster” that is strong enough to “get me” when I’m hiding under my “covers”.

As you face your “monsters”, what are you hiding under? Are you relying on your own might, your own wit and your “connections”? I guarantee you that outside of the Grace of God as your cover, your enemies will find a weakness in your defenses and you will fall. When God calls you to do whatever He wants to accomplish through you, He will cover you with the favor needed to get the job done. He will open doors that you didn’t even know were there (forget about the ones that you thought were closed), He will guide you to the right connections (by ordering your steps) and He will make your enemies your footstool. When you hide under the “covers” of God, there is no need to fear for He will protect you.

What “covers” are you hiding under?

Be Blessed,

B