The uninvited guest

The uninvited guest used to visit. He would come in a dark robe, that covered his face. A lot like a monk's cowl. And there was always a shadow on his face. He would speak in whispered tones in a measured way. There was always a calmness in his voice that made you feel safe. Only you couldn't see his face entirely. It was one of those voices that you could hear but you could not see. Strange how you actually want to see the voice.

 

He would come round. He had a key to the door, and the next minute he was there on the couch. He generally did not knock, and he was often unannounced. He never crept up on you. He was good at surprizing you but also taking the sting out of the surprize so that you didn't feel at all surprized. Which sort of surprized you.

 

He would talk mostly. He would never threaten. And you were never afraid that he was going to hurt you. In fact, you actually started to trust him. Strange that you would take in an uninvited guest and then start to trust him. Familiarity can do that. Sometimes the voice does not have to be loud to be loud, just frequent.

 

He would talk about your own life, and examine it and describe it. It is always comforting to have someone talk about your life. It can make you listen for hours.

 

But he was an imposter. He was a stranger, an uninvited guest who made himself at home. His methods are subtle but dangerous. He is an intruder. Before you know it, you can allow the intruder. You can give him tacit permission to be there.

 

Fear is his name. He hushes up to you. Then his words start to speak to you. Slow, calm words. His hands start to massage his words into you. Slowly his hands start moving up your body until he starts to strangle and choke you. And then it is too late. The calmness turns to violence as he throttles you. He is the uninivited guest that you have allowed.

 

Fear is a murderer. He makes himself at home with you to rob you and destroy you from the inside.

 

If you are living with Fear, do not allow him to remain. He has no business being in your home.

 

Standing in your home is Jesus. He is the opposite of Fear. He likes you. He loves you. He believes in you. If you give Him a nod He will intervene and banish the uninvited guest you have invited. He is stronger than Fear. But He won't override your wishes. Perfect love casts out Fear, it disinvites uninvited guests.