Rabbit Hole
A rabbit hole is defined as a complexly bizarre or difficult state or situation conceived of as a hole into which one falls or descends. It was coined from Lewis Carrol’s “Alice in Wonderland.”
I fell into the rabbit hole this morning, on the way to church, when I started thinking of The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis (full disclosure, I’ve only read the first half of the book). The book is a collection of letters from a junior demon to his senior demonic uncle. The premise is that each Christian has a demon assigned trying to trip them up.
This led me to Job and how the devil asked for special permission to devastate Job claiming to get him to curse God.
“And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord.” - Job 1:8-12 ESV
This presented a conundrum for me. The Screwtape letters implied that every new Christian was assigned a demon trying to get him or her to give up their faith. Job, on the other hand, implied a more special and unique situation where the devil specifically petitioned God to torment a person. Which is it? I know that there is spiritual warfare going on around us all the time…
“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.” - Ephesians 6:10-13
To the best of my knowledge, I can’t answer my extent and intensity of spiritual warfare question brought on in my rabbit hole conundrum.
But then I questioned why my question piqued my interest. I concluded that if I could blame every negative outcome to spiritual warfare brought against me due to my faith walk, in some ways I’d be bragging about my progress in the process. You know, like telling someone how expensive the repair was in the luxury car you bought.
But then an even more important thought popped into my head.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?” - Job 38:4-7
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death. Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” - James 1:2-18
God has a plan for everything. I may not understand that plan, but I know he is sovereign in this plan. Even when I experience things that, at the time, seem unpleasant, I believe that it is for my ultimate good. Maybe that’s the best rabbit hole of all.
