God’s appointed “beaters”

In the UK, a favourite sport among many is hunting or shooting. To assist with the pheasant shoot for example, people are hired to go into fields and chase or beat the ground so that the birds fly into the air and so become an easy target. And so, these “beaters,” hired by the master of the hunt, go ahead of the hunter to flush the prey out into the open. But the hunter has to have eyes to see what is being flushed out into the open, otherwise they miss their prey, or the “kill,” and all that effort is wasted.

God’s appointed “beaters”

I have noticed recently that there are certain personality types or situations which are like “beaters” for me. They go ahead of me or come across my path, and God uses them to “flush out” my nature – expose my sinful tendencies or reactions.

But the question is: how awake am I to that which is being exposed or flushed into the open? Am I at one or in unison with the “Master of the hunt” – God, so that I do not miss today’s “kill” – a chance to crucify my flesh? Am I quick to see and acknowledge what I see? Or do I waste another opportunity to be cleansed and transformed – liberated from my nature?

It is very easy to see the faults in the others and maybe comment on their reactions to situations. However, my responsibility and my interest need to be on what is being flushed into the open from my flesh, so that I can be further transformed, step by step, day by day.

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When thinking of this, I am reminded of the verse: “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” Matthew 5:6.

How thirsty am I to see my own nature? Do I pray for enlightened eyes of the heart? Do I really hunger and thirst for salvation? Or do I just beat the beater – miss the opportunity for salvation and create a lot of unrest around me in the process of resisting the light God wants to give me, because I am waiting for the other person or people to see themselves!

A thorough “flushing”

“Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin …” 1 Peter 4:1-2. This is our final aim: the “beaters” come to flush out what needs flushing out and nothing remains to be flushed out! This is my aim daily, that those with whom I have to do only taste and handle the spirit of Christ crucified when they have to do with me, rather than the old reactions of irritation and frustration.

All the best with the hunt!