During one of the teachings, a speaker introduced me to the phrase “parabolic lifestyle”. My interest peaked, I leaned in a little closer. She explained how Jesus used things in the natural to convey spiritual truths. He used the sower and the seed (Mathew 13: 3-23 ), and the wheat and the tares (Mathew 13: 24-30 ). Likewise, the parabolic lifestyle is an awareness that God is using what is around us in the natural to convey a spiritual message. We all come from different backgrounds and situations, and are in various stages of life. The parabolic message is what God gives us as our unique voice. It is something He shows us through our situations and circumstances that can be used to encourage ourselves and others.

 

That excited me! And I wondered what message God was trying to weave together in my life.

Later that night, the Holy Spirit took over the service. The message ended early and a handful of the pastors started to pray for everyone in attendance. I remained praying, while I awaited my turn. I could hear the pastor come near, he prayed for the person in front of me, and then he prayed for the person behind me.

What? I got skipped? It’s ok I thought, they’ll make their way back around. Everyone continued to pray as the pastors made their rounds. Suddenly a pastor came on the mic and gave a corporate prayer to dismiss everyone for the night.

What????

Everyone began to mingle in excitement. I excused myself early and headed to the barracks. My roommate wasn’t back yet, so I sat alone on the edge of the bed. It was a pity party, party of one. Tears of frustration ran down my cheeks as wondered how God could skip me. After some time, I could hear my friends in the lounge area right outside of the room. I left the bedroom door open, and decided to take my mind off of myself so I could join them.

We talked for a while… until suddenly my roommate pointed, “I just saw a mouse in our room!”

I turned just in time to see the furry creature scurry toward my side of the room. My friend and I jumped on the lounge furniture. My roommate bounced on my bed, “Trinity, I think your mouse went under here!”

I yelled from the top of the lounge table, “Don’t do that!”

 

 

After we calmed down,  we decided to do two things: call security and figure out how this situation could be a parabolic message.

Apparently, field mice are not uncommon in that area. Field mice are scavengers, eating anything they think they can. They also assess situations, quickly darting about to avoid being seen… or eaten.

 

Our room was always wide open and located right next to the outside door, making it easily accessible. My roommate and I also packed lots of snacks, making our room a logical choice for any hungry creature.

 

When I stood back and related the situation to my life, I realized that my pity party was a wide open door to attract the enemy. Like the snacks in our room, my negative thinking was paving the way for him to come scavenging.  I had to remind myself that 2 Corinthians 10: 3- 5 says,  “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ”. I began to clean up my thoughts, and remind myself of God’s promises. I then had to close the door to that type of thinking.

 

 

Not long after we called security, a representative came over and gave us a brand new room!

Our new room had an ocean view; and three was its number. To top it all off, my Heavenly Father showed me that He saw me, thus He chose to give me a room with the number three. My name Trinity means, The Father, The Son and The Holy Spirit, so my room number was very significant to me.

 

 

Maybe you’re going through a rough season in your life. Or maybe you had a tough day. Or maybe something happened that made you question God’s goodness. Before you open the door to certain patterns of thought, pray to Him. Remember, He works all things together for your good. Could there be a parabolic message hidden in your situation?