Don't Get 'Lost'!
Shout out to all you "Lostaways" out there, because it seems like the hit show Lost is slowly taking over the planet as fast as a monster and a group of "others" could storm across a tropical island.
Conceptually revolving around previous plot lines like Gilligan's Island, Lord of the Flies, Survivor, and Castaway, Lost takes it up a few quantum levels to create a very smart and unique viewing experience that leaves you counting down the minutes to the next installment.
And then there are all the theories about what might really be going on. Of course the theories didn't start to surface too much until the element of the supernatural was introduced. At that point the worldview clashes began, because to the scientific mind there simply cannot be the existence of beings/creatures/entities outside the observable and "provable" physical world.
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Yet to those with a faith background, there is more than enough evidence that a parallel (possibly pan-dimensional) world is embedded in our own, yet it is unobservable to the human eye.
So with those two pieces in place, the blogosphere erupted with explanations and speculations about the nature of reality on Lost.
For instance - maybe everything that is happening is just a series of events in the imagination of one person? Then in the end he or she will wake up and we'll all realize it was a dream and everyone will scream "NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!"
Or…maybe everyone on the plane crash died, and the island is really a spiritual waiting place where you are trapped in time awaiting your eternal outcome. You know, just like you feel when you are passing the time at the Department of Motor Vehicles, right?
But may I throw one more theory out there? What if the nature of reality on the island in Lost is just like the world you and I live in? In other words, have you ever considered the idea that you and I live in a reality that has natural and supernatural things going on at the same time?
Think about it. As you are watching others, there could be 'others' watching you with malevolent intent. But not only watching, but scheming and planning to take you down. As you gaze out the window into the physical world, there just might be supernatural spiritual beings looking back into our world through windows of their own as they plan their warfare.
And, just like the survivors on the island, we must be very cautious in terms of how we handle our relationship with the unseen.
But don't take my word for it…check out this warning from God's Word:
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8).
The monster on the island is nothing compared to the spiritual monsters that exist in the supernatural world. That's why the Bible also gives this warning:
In the same way, these people—who claim authority from their dreams—live immoral lives, defy authority, and scoff at supernatural beings. But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (This took place when Michael was arguing with the devil about Moses' body) (Jude 1:8-9).
Say what??? Well, in short, these words are a warning that we should remember two very critical things. First, those who 'scoff' at the devil and his demonic army are basically insane. Why? Because these beings have powers that we can't even comprehend, so when we ignore their destructive nature and plans, we set ourselves up for a world of hurt.
Notice the example he uses?
But even Michael, one of the mightiest of the angels, did not dare accuse the devil of blasphemy, but simply said, "The Lord rebuke you!" (Jude 1:9).
Not even the mightiest angel took the dark spiritual forces for granted, which brings up the second critical concept - and that is that we need to call on the Lord when we find ourselves in a world of spiritual attack. Just like Michael the Archangel, we can appeal to the highest power and authority in the universe. Here's a fantastic promise from the God's word:
The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world (1 John 4:4).
If you've trusted in Jesus as your only hope of salvation, you have the very power of God living inside you in the Person of the Holy Spirit. To be sure, there are terrifying and terrorizing supernatural beings who have you on their radar as we speak, but they are defeated by the simplest prayer from the weakest Christian.
So…remember not to get 'lost' when the monster and the 'others' from the spiritual world bring an assault against you. The way out is to look up…way up…to the One who is our ultimate rescue from our island of loneliness and sea of troubles.
Flashpoint: Ignite Into Action
As you well know, not being able to 'see' something doesn't mean that it doesn't exist. This week, take a step back from your life and try to 'connect the dots' between the things going on in your physical world and the spiritual world. Have you ever had a day that just seemed to collapse on you? Is there a possible connection to leaving yourself open on the supernatural front? Talk to your youth leader about this topic and get ready for some fascinating conversations!
Accelerant: Feed the Fire
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand (Ephesians 6:10-13).
Now the king of Aram was at war with Israel. After conferring with his officers, he said, "I will set up my camp in such and such a place."
The man of God sent word to the king of Israel: "Beware of passing that place, because the Arameans are going down there." So the king of Israel checked on the place indicated by the man of God. Time and again Elisha warned the king, so that he was on his guard in such places. This enraged the king of Aram. He summoned his officers and demanded of them, "Will you not tell me which of us is on the side of the king of Israel?"
"None of us, my lord the king," said one of his officers, "but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the very words you speak in your bedroom."
"Go, find out where he is," the king ordered, "so I can send men and capture him." The report came back: "He is in Dothan." Then he sent horses and chariots and a strong force there. They went by night and surrounded the city.
When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. "Oh, my lord, what shall we do?" the servant asked.
"Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them."
And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
As the enemy came down toward him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, "Strike these people with blindness." So he struck them with blindness, as Elisha had asked.
Elisha told them, "This is not the road and this is not the city. Follow me, and I will lead you to the man you are looking for." And he led them to Samaria.
After they entered the city, Elisha said, "LORD, open the eyes of these men so they can see." Then the LORD opened their eyes and they looked, and there they were, inside Samaria.
When the king of Israel saw them, he asked Elisha, "Shall I kill them, my father? Shall I kill them?"
"Do not kill them," he answered. "Would you kill men you have captured with your own sword or bow? Set food and water before them so that they may eat and drink and then go back to their master" (2 Kings 6:8-22).
Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
