Well, I've had this blog done for ages but have not known exactly what to write until tonight. I was going to make my first piece something light hearted. Nothing too heavy. Nothing to scare people away. Although I realise that this isn't going to happen. And I'm writing this as much for my own benefit as for anyone else who is drawn to read this.
I am unfortunately in the middle of a situation where someone I know is pretty much going through what others might like to refer to as hell on earth. The hard part of this for me has been realising that I can't say or do anything to change this for them. As much as I'd love to have it all worked out and put them on the right path, I can't. I realised the hard way that what comes out of my mouth - no matter how loving it may be - just isn't working. But I also realised something else. Satan desperately wants a wedge to be drawn between me and this person. This in effect would render me useless and give Satan the upper hand.
Ephesians 6:12-13
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. Therefore take up the whole armour of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
As angry and upset I am about this certain situation, it's not about me, so all I can do is go into battle for this person. When we are distant from God, this is exactly where Satan wants us to be. But we are called as believers of Jesus Christ to fight the good fight. There is no such thing as complacency in the Christian walk. The war is already won but we still have to fight the battle until the day Jesus decides to come back and finish Satan for Himself. That means that in the meantime we are to go into battle for not only those who don't have a personal relationship with the Author and Creator of life, but also for those who are Christians but have fallen away for whatever reason.
So I guess I'm issuing a challenge. (And this challenge is also for me.) How often do we come before the Throne of Grace and pray with all we've got for others? How often do we get caught up in praying that we'd have a good day, that the kids would be safe, that I'd get that raise at work, blah blah blah, and not stand in to fight for those around us who are heading for an eternity in Hell? I know I'm more than guilty of doing this!
It's only when the church wakes up from its slumber that it can be any good in drawing people into the Kingdom of God. We need to be salt and light in our communities. How salty can we be this week? :)
