Skip to main content

Life Is A Battle.... But


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. 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. (Ephesians 6:10-12)

          Life is a battle. I have friends, and friends of friends, who are being forced to face this reality a little more than some others. Some of them are facing physical challenges. Others are facing relational challenges. It’s scary to admit, but I’m beginning to think I’m facing some battle, too. I thought I was doing pretty well. My attitude has been comparatively positive as I’ve faced some minor problems, but the reason I started reading E.M. Bounds on Prayer is because I think I’m missing something in my relationship with God. 
          For the past two years in Florida, my morning walk was as time of intercession. When I return to Erie, the intercession just doesn’t work. I can’t seem to focus even though I’m walking past houses belonging to people I prayed for in Florida. My walks in Erie have been more meditational prayer times. I love talking to God about ideas. This year, however, I haven’t been walking. I still pray, some. There are people for whom I am praying now, with more direction than I do when I’m in Florida, but generally, I’m not praying the way I probably should be. 
          It’s amazing, and pathetic, how little it takes to defeat my prayer life. Change locations, change routines, or introduce some pain, and it’s in ruins at my feet. Of course, I’m only assuming it wasn’t in ruins at my feet when I was doing my “best praying.” That’s the devil’s side of the picture.
          I suspect God’s perspective is a little different. While I’m sure He sees my prayer life – even the best of it – as pathetic, those ruins are in the way of the building of a much better house of prayer. Even the stones that have crashed to the ground may be useful to this Architect. If I’m wrong, it might be that He doesn’t even see ruins. When I see a wall that would fall if a fox jumped on it (Nehemiah 4:3), God may see part of a foundation of a wall that will protect thousands. 
         I need to remember that life is a battle. It’s not that life includes battles, it’s that life IS a battle. I wish I were more of a battle strategist, but I suspect that when it seems to me that I’m defeated (especially by comparative nothings) it’s then that I am poised for a victory, if I would only remember to use my armor and weapons (Ephesians 6:12-20), including prayer. It’s when “nothing” is happening that I need to be most on my guard.
        A song comes to mind: When You're Up Against A Battle... (No matter how small) 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

"Especially to those who belong to the family of believers."

Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (Gal 6:10)   “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.   By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35)           Joshua grinned when he saw Rex standing by the door, studying something on the ground. "Hey, man! Are we ready to do this thing?"          Rex looked up. "Josh, I can't do it. We're still best buds, but I can't stand your fiancée."           I've met "Rex" many times. I've been Rex. Joshua (Jesus) loves the Church. He's not a fool. He knows the Church is far from perfect, but she is His chosen bride. The Rexes of this world, who think themselves His friend, turn away from her. "You don't need the Church to...
Post a Comment
Read more

Shark Fins, Triple Dog Dares, Heroes, Villains and Sidekicks

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken (Ecclesiastes 4:9-12)            There's a scene in Jaws in which someone sees a shark fin and starts a panic. As   all the swimmers scramble to shore, boats surround the fin, which falls over to reveal two kids. With several guns pointed at them, one of the kids points at the other. The message is clear: it was his idea. In Christmas Story, there's a scene in which one kid "triple dog dares" another to do something stupid. Since it's a triple dog dare, well, what choice does the boy have? There doesn't seem to be any end to the trouble that peer pressure can cause. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ssssssubmmissssssionnn

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ . (Ephesians 5:21)             "Ssssssubmmisssssssionnn." Can't you just hear the serpent hissing this most horrible of words? If you listen to the serpent or the world, submission means groveling, allowing yourself to be abused, denying yourself your own humanity. Nothing could be worse than submission, could it?             Submission has never been a problem for me, as long as things are going the way I want them to. The rest of the time? Well, let's just say that while I don't know how to fight physically, I don't know how to not fight mentally. One of the fights I've been having with myself for years is about submission.             My first breakthrough took place on a trip to a bookstore. As I walked into the store, my thoughts were very clear. 1) I was goi...
Post a Comment
Read more