We are asked to put on God’s armor in order to stand against spiritual forces from the dark world. Sounds like fantasy but there is a decision to be made here: truth or fiction? I’m leaning toward the truth side. And if true, the real battle has been waging on without me.
Ephesians 6:12
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.
I have not been asked to advance against the enemy, merely to stand. And yet, I have not been moving forward or standing, not really. Instead, I have been buffeted about internally. My mind has been captured by the distractions of the world, my spirit veiled by self-absorption, and my heart hardened.
The greater fool, I, for trying so hard to do battle in this 3-D world. I’ve been totally caught up in my ambitions, my weight, my aging, my eyesight, my losses, my children’s successes or lack thereof, and so on. I’m not even on the right playing field.
Currently, I’m reading the Suzanne Collins trilogy, Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay. These stories take place in a futuristic world where our country has been divided into districts, all serving the “Capitol.” Each district has a single industry. Once a year, each district must send two “tributes” (teenagers) to fight to the death, with only one victor. The victor’s district is then blessed with extra food etc. for that year. In the second book, because the lead characters foiled the Capitol in book one, the games take on a cruel turn. I won’t give that away, but a phrase has stayed with me that is relevant to my discussion here: “Remember who your enemy is.”
In our world, we have forgotten who the true enemy is as well. Instead, our countries fight wars, terrorists prevail, our sons and daughters die violently, people starve, and natural resources are despoiled. We continue to struggle with the symptoms instead of the root causes.
Photo by Angelo Juan Ramos
I can go about serving others, visiting the sick and dying, feeding the hungry, comforting the homeless, and giving from my livelihood. But if I do these things without the Light, they are band-aids.
It’s time to stop living as though it’s such a great mystery. The mystery has been revealed through the Christ and is a living, powerful presence in me through the Holy Spirit.
I want to stand today. I want to be counted as one standing. I want to shine.
(FD 15)
Meditations from Zion 
great passage and great thoughts.My battle is not that of the physical realm not against another human but against those that represent false laws of oppression not only of the body but the soul.Those enemies that believe they have the right to rule and pay no attention to the higher standards of humanity based on a belief in a power greater than ourselves.Before I can stand against them THe first battle is within myself it occurs within my soul as to do I chose to submitt and surrender my will to that of a higher power that is not in the form of flesh nor the kings, rulers and the authorities that defy the existence of God.The beauty and mystery of life is that man has the key to chose, either embrace the faith of a higher power or live in bondage.The promises of oppressors are a powerful force based on delusional rewards, temptations of the physical realm and the self serving ego will battle the calling of God’s will, it is here that we must take a stand and walk with God.Truely a battle of the soul in the heavenly realms.
If the soul is right with God then the thoughts shall lead to actions that fulfill the will of the Higher Power or as many call it God.
That would be the ideal. One day and then the next, I step closer to God.
You shine in your clowning, play writing and in who you are all the time. You’re right about the battle. I am also easily distracted from the real work, to “BE still, and KNOW that HE IS GOD!” He doesn’t need me to do much more than acknowledge that truth and share it every chance I get, so others can be saved to, not just me.
If I remember who my – our – father is I don’t have to be so tightfisted with my resources. I don’t have to point out the weaknesses of others, because he’s already got that. I don’t even have to worry. That just seems impossible, but it’s true.
I’ve been wondering about my role, my purpose in life, again. If I could just live like I know that God has my back. If I just live loved and don’t try to fix anything, could that be it? Don’t I have to go back to work, hang out a shingle, make more money and have a career? Don’t I have to go to Africa to help my colleagues? Is it enough to just BE!
I believe that it is, but i don’t feel like it is!
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