An outside force

There's a new cat that has been hanging around the property. He is big and chubby, so I am under the impression that he is being taken care of. He doesn't have a collar, but he is incredibly affectionate. I am thinking that he must be taken care of. But he is also missing his tail. I have no idea, nor do I want to think of, what could have happened. But there is a little stub still, and he bangs it against me with such power, it is truly sweet.

Shadow, however, is more than unimpressed. I have to at times keep him in, because he just wails, to the point that it is a nuisance. I tried to go after Shadow this morning, to get him inside, but he ran away and went up to the roof to glare at the new cat from above. I let the new cat in (I was not trying to be disrespectful to any potential owners, he was determined) and when Shadow was ready to come in, it was pure halloween cat, back up, and meow louder than ever. I picked up the new cat, who was relatively unmoved, and put the sweet thing outside. Then came back in to witness Shadow yelling at Trixie. Shadow has never once showed any signs of aggression toward Trixie. He has only loved her, in fact, I am certain that he would have never come to live with us, were it not for his immediate and ceaseless affection toward her. 

It made me think - this outside entity caused Shadow to be uncharacteristically forceful. I wonder, with my Gnostic inclinations (see link), could this be the same underlying principle to the violence that we so commonly experience here on Earth?

Here is an except from today's Utmost reading:

"The entire human race was created to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever. Sin has diverted the human race onto another course, but it has not altered God’s purpose to the slightest degree...We must continually keep our soul open to the fact of God’s creative purpose, and never confuse or cloud it with our own intentions. If we do, God will have to force our intentions aside no matter how much it may hurt...Beware lest you forget God’s purpose for your life."

I have learnt a lot about human nature through a cat, Shadow has been such a blessing to me in my life: he is my muse. Today as I go about my business, I reflect on the idea that an outside threat, fancied or real, entity or intrusive thought, could be the disconnect from God within which is necessary for the needed strength to overcome such obstacles and which keeps us in a seemingly endless cycle of vehemence.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Therefore, take unto you the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and, having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6.12-3