Susan LaffertyTwo years ago on this day, I sit beside my husband’s bed in the ICU. Two stents newly inserted into one of his arteries. Blood now flowing freely through his heart. In a place formerly 100-percent blocked.
Only hours before, we walk. Drive. Talk. Laugh. Following everyday routines. Ordinary schedules.
Not knowing danger lurks.
Oblivious to unseen, unnoticed blockage wreaking havoc. Beneath the surface. Under skin and flesh and vessel.
Sometimes troubles flow. Underneath.
A running series of concerns. Questions darting here and there.
Waking in the night. Persistent through the day. Disquiet, rhythmic.
Children’s needs. Aging parents. Friends’ struggles.
Natural disasters. State of the world.
Future plans, uncertain.
You name it.
False prophecy. False claims.
Rampant in Old Testament days. And today.
Hananiah uses the lingo of a true prophet. Sounding official.
“This is what the Lord of Armies, the God of Israel says…. This is the Lord’s declaration…. This is what the Lord says…” (Jeremiah 28:2,4,11).
But he’s using the Lord’s name in vain.
