13 A sluggard says, “There’s a lion in the road,

a fierce lion roaming the streets!”

14 As a door turns on its hinges,

so a sluggard turns on his bed.

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The spider bites and no flesh is there.  The Lord has already caused you to move.  Gather wood without fear, for it is the Lord who gives strength.

The snake dashes forward to injure its prey.  But the Lord has already given you stride.  Before he strikes, you foot is already in motion.  It is the Lord who gives His servant strength.

“There is no fear in love, but perfect love drives out fear, because fear expects punishment.  The person who is afraid has not been made perfect in love.”  (1 John 4:18)

The runner runs as command has been issued.  In his hand he carries a torch.  Vibrant fire atop the brilliant base; a blazing, living fire.  Within the flame are every color, dancing in Holy rhythm according to the holy command of He who has sent.

“Do not be entranced by what you carry.  Do not stop your stride to admire what was sent.  Run without ceasing.  Run without pause.  You are sent among the darkness to deliver what the Holy Lord has commanded be displayed before dark souls in a dark place.  He who stops to admire what is sent is like he who ceases planting to admire his planting.  How shall his work continue while pause attends his feet?”

We are given a Holy charge from He who is Holy.  May those who run, by His Grace, run with agile stride.  May His command be encouragement to our desire to serve.  What we carry did not come from us.  We did not invent the Gospel.  We did not help Him shed His Holy blood.  He is King, and rightly so.  Eternity and its work among creation belongs to Him.  May understanding attend our hearts.

“Keep your heads low!”  The commander commands from His place of Advantage.  Above the battle He commands.  What enemy enters His Holy Throne Room?

He has redeemed a people for Himself from among the throng.  He has set them in place to receive the onslaught.  He will draw out the enemy’s intent.  He will know the hearts of all.

“Keep your heads low!” Came the command from eternity.  Do not let pride become the rule by which you measure your salvation.  What you have received has been given.  No man owns anything good.  But raise your head in pride and it will risk the neck that holds it up.

“Keep your heads low!”  The harvest is afoot!  The sickle is swung at the will of He who is sent to harvest.  Let pride lift your head and you may well fall victim to the unyielding will of God.  In prayer we bow.  In service to the Holy One, our eyes are cast down before His Glory.  It is He who works among the throng.  A man is lifted according to the swing of death.  He rises at the will of God to perform The Enticing Beauty of God among men.

“Keep your heads low!”