Are You Wasped in the Blood

Through the years my family has survived infestations of mice, possums, squirrels, horse flies, worms, goldfish, dance recitals, tournament softball, one psychedelic experiment with orange walls in the late 1970’s, and a nightmarish episode with hamsters. As of today we have avoided the frogs and locusts. Let me tell you about another sojourn several years ago to the land of Pharaoh. This trip involved wasps. These were no ordinary wasps. They were Jurassic wasps. They didn’t just sting . . . they carried cordless drills and stun guns.

            I did research and learned that wasps are best controlled at night when they are in their nests watching their favorite singer, Sting. One method of fighting the wasps is wasp spray. I could actually see their little mouths opening to drink the spray. They loved it. It was like hosing down a Labrador Retriever. Finally, after enough toxic spray to take down a water buffalo, they succumbed. Of course everything within twenty feet of the back door was dripping with toxic spray. The kitchen looked like an alien had exploded.

            In my research I also learned that  another school of thought on wasping endorses the use of dogs. Some dogs are great for hunting. Beagles and political candidates chase rabbits. Bull Terriers shoot the bull; Rat Terriers kill rats, Moscow Watchdogs just kill time, and French Poodles chase mirrors. My Chihuahuas are good waspers. Why? Because they have no fear . . . and they have no brains. They jump at every crawling or flying insect, and because their intelligence level ranks just below that of guacamole dip they bark and nip constantly at the wasp, driving him crazy.

            It is casually entertaining for the wasp but he does eventually become irritated. That’s when he is most vulnerable. While the Chihuahuas are barking and nipping I jump in with both swatters swinging. At this point two things can happen. I can kill the wasp or I can miss the wasp and hit the Chihuahuas. There is something comical about watching swatted and somewhat surprised Chihuahuas tuck their curly little tails and dive under the nearest bed.

            What about you? Have you met any wasps lately? Oh, not the physical species but the spiritual kind. Have you been stung by the circumstances of life? Were you unprepared to deal with the pain and suffering that followed? There is hope.

            There are only two ways to attack spiritual W.A.S.P.S. One wears the Worldly Apparel of Selfishness, Pride, and Stubbornness. This person approaches life for what he can get out of it and depends only on himself. When he is attacked by life he has no defense. The other view uses the Whole Armor Shield of faith, Prayer, and Sword of the Spirit. This person approaches life as a gift and depends on God every day, not just during the bad times.

            How do you approach life? If you have truly been W.A.S.P.ed by the blood of Christ you will take the second approach and be better prepared to deal with “wasps” that come into your life, unexpectedly, from any direction. So here is the most important question.  Are you W.A.S.P.ed in the blood? If you are you can ultimately stand with Paul the Apostle in I Corinthians 15:55 and confidently ask  the question, “O Death, where is thy sting?”