Free Angels of Humility: A Novel by Jackie Macgirvin

things You hate. Help me to use the rest of my time here on earth doing whatever You want. Amen
.
     
    Tears spotted the
Gazette
‘s article.
    Just as Sarah was pulling herself together, blowing her nose and dabbing her eyes, Joel suggested she turn to Hebrews 13:2.
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. Remember
the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.”
    Now she cried again, the burden of the Lord resting heavily on her.
    “Father loves Sarah very much. I’m curious what He will do next,” said Malta.

C HAPTER 9

     
    “The Spirit builds confidence, the flesh builds arrogance.”
Bobby Conner 1
     
     
    Driving to church on Sunday morning, Paul saw four signs and three banners in people’s yards protesting the new jail. “It sure didn’t take this town long to get organized against the jail, did it?”
    “Apparently not,” replied Kathy.
    “Clarence Harvey, the Gazette’s editor, had posters printed and placed all over town. I hear he’s going to rent space on a billboard. Financing it himself.”
    “Well, I can’t blame them; jails have to be located somewhere, but I can understand why they don’t want it in their town.”
    “Our town, dear,” he corrected. “Our town. I’m announcing the beginning of the prayer meeting this morning. When that gets going, we’ll put some time in on our knees about this jail.” Although Paul didn’t like himselfvery much for the next thought, he couldn’t get it out of his mind:
If I can rally the church behind this movement, it could get me some communitywide exposure. And wouldn’t the church members love me if I was instrumental in getting this jail thing canceled?
    “Paul,” said Saldu, “walk in the Spirit and you won’t fulfill the lust of the flesh. 2 The flesh always lusts; it’s lusting now for recognition and accolades. But it’s insatiable; it’s never enough. If you don’t learn to get your affirmation from the Lord, in your time together, you’ll continue trying to manipulate praises from people, but they’ll never satisfy. Only one opinion matters or satisfies. Seek the Lord on this jail issue and quit riding the wave of public opinion.”
    It was a rainy Sunday morning, so of course, attendance was down. That meant the offering was going to be down too. Paul sat in the front row tapping his foot to the special music. When it was over, he took his place behind the lectern and shifted his weight from his left to his right foot and back again. He took a deep breath and began.
    “A mother skunk and two baby skunks were walking in the woods when they were startled by a hungry bobcat. The bobcat chased them and cornered them against a rocky cliff where there was no place to escape. The mother skunk was unbelievably calm. The baby skunks cried out, ‘Mom, mom, what should we do?’ She turned to the children and said, ‘Children, let us spray.’”
    “And we need to
spray
too. We need God’s vision for this church and for the lives of each member: every mother, father, son, daughter, aunt, uncle, everyone!”
    By the time Paul had finished, most of the church was in agreement that what they really needed was a Wednesday night prayer meeting. “We’ll begin this Wednesday night at 7 sharp. Come and prepare to be blessed.
    Amen?”
    “Amen,” most of the congregation answered.
    After shaking hands with everyone at the back door, Paul went to his office, opened his leather binder containing his five-year plan, and placed a big check mark in the empty box on page two. “Begin Wednesday prayer meeting—done.”
    “Paul,” said Saldu, “you’ve barely prayed about your plan. You’re just assuming it’s also God’s plan, and it’s not. You’re excited because you think it will bring you glory and honor. Don’t make glory and fame your god and your goal. Humble yourself so He doesn’t have to; it is by far