The Battle

The Battle

We do battle constantly.

We battle traffic. We fight colds. We have endless battles with our bulges. We battle taxes. We battle bad habits. We try to beat the clock. We fight inflation. We battle our children, co-workers, family members. …Lines at the stores… Other customers… Stuck doors…

We are often on the defense – passive aggressive, stealth like; or offense – attack – “Take no survivors”! We are conspiring and weighing our next move and/or blitz. When are we not considering the next thing – perhaps when sleeping. Sadly, I would wager that even in our dreams we are even fighting then, (ever wake up tired)… According to scripture there is a constant unseen war that wages about us 24/7. Perhaps we are more caught up in “spiritual” battle than we know – since we are the objects of that war, (but that is indeed, another subject).

And does any of the battles make a difference? Surely, when my side wins, or when I win, or when you win... When we champion right causes – that’s when there is a difference made. But by whose definition is it a right cause? Which another battle could ensue depending on which side of the fence you’re on.

Perhaps, why, what and when we battle, comes down to a moral code, and that is determined by… WHO? Our mindsets change with whatever is the newest fad or popular thought for the moment - Whoever is out there shaping the minds of the young and weak; the old and the stubborn; the lonely and the outspoken... The “WHO” sometimes is the one with the most toys, whistles, and funds to get their agenda in the faces of the public.

Does anyone THINK for themselves, truly?

For me, my battles are all God’s. I am not always in agreement – which I know is foolish – because after all God is – i, am not. Here’s a word picture: Me as a child at age two telling my mom what to do and doing what I want without  even listening.

For me God is omniscient and omnipresent, so it makes sense to be with the One who knows the outcome – of everything. This isn’t to say, (like I stated above, but here it is worded differently in case you missed it). I’m okay with it all, and I’m just looking for the next big thing to happen. I have major questions about life and what the **** is going on and WHY are things going on at all, and if I were in charge, I would so wipe the slate clean and never bother to start over again – but I’m not in charge – remember I’m the two year old – God is the adult in charge. I don’t know squat. I respectfully submit.

So, my battles are usually a result of those who are in opposition to these beliefs that I hold to be true, (that God is – i am not). So, my battles belong God. Simple for me – maybe not for you – but that is your battle if you care to take it on with all that you already have going on. J

Does this mindset make life better or easier? Sometimes yes, sometimes not. I still worry about battles that aren’t even mine, but are, because I look upon others as my brothers and sisters, so I empathize: with the missing Malaysian passengers of flight MH370; with jailed American Pastor Saeed Abedini in Iran; with the homeless man who “lives” at the bus enclosure just east of six corners; with human trafficking victims; with the old man at the nursing home who is always calling out; with the child who is loudly disrespecting their parent… These battles are God’s – all of them – I don’t have to fight in my own strength – I alone would surely loose.

…But…

Ephesians 6:10-18

^“10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. ¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. ¹⁴ Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, ¹⁵ and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. ¹⁶ In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. ¹⁷ Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” 

Me at age 4

Soli Deo Gloria