These days political machinery (or machinations) are humming in Washington, DC. Whether you like to stay involved or removed, it is hard to ignore election year fervor as “House” and “Senate” squabble over bills like toddlers fighting over a toy. Both Representatives and Senators—squeaking cogs in the wheels of justice— clamor for their legislation to be “taken to the floor.” And, once “on the floor,” that member of Congress “has the floor” until he or she yields.
Switching gears (four on the floor), putting politics aside, look down for a moment… literally!
“Take it to the Floor.”
Christian Counselor Larry Crabbe tells a story from when he was 3 years old and he had locked himself in the bathroom. His father retrieved a ladder, pried open the 2nd story window, climbed in, and opened the door. For 57 years, that was how Dr. Crabbe pictured God; opening doors so he could go out and play. But, more often than not, God does not open the door—not just yet. He climbs in the window and sits with us on the bathroom floor, asking the question, “Am I enough?” Our answer?
“Take it to the Floor”
2,700 years ago, Judah’s King Hezekiah found himself enmeshed in a battle of wits with a sick and twisted Assyrian King with a name I’m sure he had to spell for teachers throughout his school years, Sennacherib. Thinking he had caught Hezekiah “like a bird in a cage,” Sennacherib wrote a wicked piece of “make war, not love” hate mail to Hezekiah threatening death and destruction to both king and country. Hezekiah grabs the message, scampers up to the house of the Lord, drops to his knees, and spreads out the letter in order to…
“Take it to the Floor”
57 years later, Dr. Crabbe came to know God in a whole new way.
20 years later, Sennacherib was assassinated by his three sons.
One day in the not-so-distant future, God is going to “mop the floor” with the Evil One, making it squeaky clean for all eternity. In the meantime, he leaves us with the weapon of prayer, in all circumstances, without ceasing. In other words, until then, we need to
“Take it to the Floor”
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
—Philippians 4:6