Battle
I have been spending so much of my time writing. God impressed on my heart, just days after Deral died, that I would write a book.
The idea of that shocked me.
Me? Write a book?
Before Deral went to heaven I never thought I had a testimony, no need to share any of the things that happened in my life. Nothing felt important enough to share, I didn’t feel important.
During the work of organizing and writing my experiences and attempting to form them into story has awaken me to all of the miracles that have taken place all around me both before and after the accident.
It has also awaken me to the realization of the battle we are all in.
The Apostle Paul warns us of this battle in Ephesians 6:12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. NKJV.
Paul is simply stating a fact here, to live is to partake in this battle. Whether or not you are aware, the war is waging all around us. And you, my friend, are a soldier, whether you know it or not.
I had some time to write for my book this week. I was alone, uninterrupted by obligations and responsibilities. The day was reserved to write. It was heavenly!
Yet, as I began writing (and stopped and started again), negative thoughts forced themselves inside my brain.
“Why are you doing this, Michelle? You have nothing to say that hasn’t already been said. No one is going to read your words. You should just give up now. Did you actually think this was a word from God? You are so insignificant, why would you think God wants to use you for anything good?”
*Cue battle music*
Here’s the deal, we have a very real, very angry enemy. He would like nothing more than to annihilate everything good in this world. He is sneaky and cunning. But he is also predictable. His attacks are always the same. Once he knows what pushes your buttons, he will push the same ones over and over again. He is ruthless. He will attack, and cause pain then pour salt and vinegar all over the wounds he created. He intends total destruction of mind, body and soul of every human, on every continent, everywhere.
Now I’m going to stop here for a second because it needs to be said, I don’t know why Satan has a place here on Earth. I do know that God rules over him and Satan can only work within the allotments of Jesus. I don’t know why God allows him any control at all, I’m not God, you’ll have to take up those questions with Him.
What I do know is that we are all entered into the ranks of the Lords army. The sooner we understand and accept that the better. The quicker we start our training for this battle, the better.
Paul doesn’t leave us with just a cryptic warning about an invisible war, he instructs us on how to prepare and engage.
Just one verse before in Ephesians 6:11 Paul says, Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. NKJV
I got a few things out of this. The first, God prepares us. He may allow the devil to roam and try to destroy, but God allotted for that. He’s got a suit of armor made just for each one of us. Its perfect and protective and can withstand the attacks of the enemy. Second, We can’t battle on our own. When Paul chose the words “so that”, that indicates to me that there is no other way to fight this fight. No other armor or sword would hold up to the attacks wielded by Satan.
The idea of war and pain surrounding us can leave us feeling defeated. Sometimes it seems far easier to see the work of Satan than it is to see the goodness of God, but the goodness is always there, bigger and more powerful than the bad.
I don’t like to shine so much light on the enemy, or give him too much credit. But the fact is, we are all in this war together. We must train for the fight. Dress for battle and start engaging in war.
Spoiler alert…
We win.