grace given me

Last Friday I spent several minutes crying tears of joy with my sister when she shared that our prayers had been answered with good news related to my brother-in-law’s dire health situation. Praying for him for so long and vacillating between human doubt and Godly hope, it was a really powerful moment. Palpably feeling God’s covering and presence, we praised him on the phone together. My sister said she didn’t want to stop crying with me because it felt so good. Neither of us wanted to leave the bubble of good things and answered prayer. But alas, time marches on and in the same week my husband and I had a pretty good scuffle and I had to wrestle down a considerable work disappointment. Then over the weekend, as my husband and I made up, we had another family victory with relationships being restored and redeemed. My first thought was, what a roller coaster of a week. But then I heard a whisper that said, ‘No, it’s war out there. It has always been going on. Your eyes are just being opened to it.’ 

Ephesians 6:12 says, “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Up until recently, I have in a sense been sleepwalking through life. Let’s be honest, the world is enticing and the enemy is crafty. I have been distracted by busyness with my marriage, kids, career, and keeping my head above water. I have been lulled by comfort and pleasure. All the while, doing life in my own vision and my own power. While I never intended to be fighting for the wrong side, my naivete kept me from doing much to push back against the powers of this dark world. I was more like a buoy in the ocean bobbing and drifting, sometimes riding the high of a wave and other times being tossed about by a storm. But 1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith…”

Make no doubt – the enemy comes to lie, steal and destroy. I am now reflecting back on all the time the enemy stole from me for his cause. His lies kept me blind. My lack of acknowledgement of the war rendered me powerless for God’s kingdom work. My lack of engagement had me unwittingly losing territory. But according to 2 Corinthians 2:9-11 we are called to “…stand the test and be obedient in everything… in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” I can plead ignorance but the reality is that I willfully chose my own way. But the veil is coming down. I have slowly come to realize the limitations, the disappointment, the defeat of doing things ‘my way’. 1 Corinthians 2:16 says, “But we have the mind of Christ.” Why continue to settle to be a buoy, when I can have his mind, his power, his love, his peace in all things and at all times if I will lay myself down and pick up the cross.

The cross has power. Ephesians 6:10-11 says, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.” God will clothe you in salvation and righteousness as you join the right team. My friend’s daughter has the best sticker on her water bottle. It says, “Spoiler alert – God wins!” Join the winning team now, today. It doesn’t mean that every day will be exactly what you want. As previously mentioned, ‘it’s war out there.’ But your choices are to not engage and be tossed about or take up your cross and stand firm. When you stand firm in the faith, you will receive a crown of victory. It will take the shape of miraculous earthly wins at times and at others simply a peace that surpasses earthly understanding when you stay in the battle with God. Are you willing to enlist? Like the old Army recruiting posters, HE WANTS YOU.

Lord, I praise you because you have already won. Death has been defeated – the enemy’s greatest trick – you have overcome it. You willingly offer us everlasting life but also life in abundance now. You are shouting from the heaventops the good news to us. Thank you for opening my ears to finally hear. This is no small battle. It is war and we need you every day. Thank you that you are always ‘on call’ waiting for me to reach out to you. You come running every time. Sometimes you cover me, sometimes you clothe me, sometimes you give me a sword, and sometimes you tuck me under your wing. You always know what we need. Thank you. Amen.