Just another day hanging out in my backyard supporting my son in his goals and dreams. He is unique. One of a kind. Creation of God. Child of God, saved by the blood of Jesus. Pediatric Stroke Survivor. He has weaknesses and strengths. Really we all do. My job is to acknowledge both, and help him (and his brother) find “his” way by God’s designated design through it all. I am to call out areas that need sharpening, to cheer on and support, to sharpen as an arrow, to guide the way they should go, in order to one day launch out. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children. Gifts from God.
We do well when we acknowledge our weak state apart from Christ. My son’s story started with weakness in his physical birth, almost dead, placed on life support. Prayers of faith, pleas for healing, and submitting to God’s will-He loves our children even more-they ultimately are His. God’s power gave this son life. This was against all odds! Two doctors entered my room that night. The first, offered a shake of head and a dark overshadowing of condemnation. Light overcomes the darkness. The second doctor came in immediately after, offering hope. We chose hope IN GOD against the reality of the difficult odds – that carried us on – Jesus Christ our Lord. So what can stand against us? Nothing can. We are grounded in the power and love of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord.
My greatest joy is for both our sons to know their desperate need for Christ and that He is everything they need. Spiritual life comes by grace through faith. (Eph. 2:8) Repentance will come through the kindness of the Lord, and at the moment we confess our sins, He is faithful to cleanse us, and we are no longer enemies of Christ. We are accepted as His child now and forevermore. But we must be BORN AGAIN.
Born again into the family of God. At the moment we commit our life to him the Holy Spirit enters with the resurrection power to remain in us forever. We are given everything we need by His every Word. As we live in His love and power-we have the armor from head to toe to overcome the battles.
Warriors/Soldiers can become weary and worn. Fatigue, mental and physical exhaustion happen in the battlefield. We must remember however, the battlefield and affliction is apart of our life as we press on for the sake of the Kingdom. We are a greater target for the enemy when we are indeed walking in obedience (as I was reminded by a sermon today). The enemy may “think” we are like that weak prey in the wilderness. Enemy the predator hoping to attack and devour. When we are in Christ Jesus, when we are weak, we are strong- the power of God literally rests upon us! But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me.” 2 Cor. 12:9 . We are not victims, but overcomers. He will lift up, give strength, and power to carry on. I know this experience. God has given us all we need to carry on and experience victory as we fight off the attacks with the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. To obey! To be comforted! To have our wounds bound up and healed! To cling to His voice and every strong authoritative Word from His mouth! To wrestle it out and the Spirit to win!
While we are busily sharpening our “arrows” as Warriors for Christ for the sake of our sons, I am reminded how vital it is that we be sharpened by our Commander in Chief! We would do well to acknowledge TRUTH. We are all in a state of disability. We are all sinners. We all are born into this equal state and condition. We all need Salvation. Once we are saved, genuine Warriors for Christ will desire to continue to be sharpened. Acknowledging our unrefined places-the sin in the flesh and the Spirit of God Who is fighting to overcome one day at a time until we see Him. Acknowledge, own it, not blaming or making excuses-walking in the truth-is to walk in the Spirit. God sharpens with His Word, corrects me when I am off course, sets me on His path, and sets my heart freer and more grateful.
So as usual I stand in my backyard filled with so much thought and consideration. It seemed simple and yet as I began to write so many more words than I expected came flowing from my heart. I am just thankful. Thankful for the ONE Who fights for me. Who fought for me on the cross. Such security I am given and how HE reminds me as I fight against my own wrestlings of this wretched flesh, as I fight for the ones I love. As I fight for these sons, and live out the intense emotions within while doing this, these sons who are a gift- the Lord God Almighty is fighting for me, for them-with the most intense emotions of His heart. “So the sisters sent word to Jesus, “Lord, the one you love is sick.” When he heard this, Jesus said, “This sickness will not end in death. No, it is for God’s glory so that God’s Son may be glorified through it.” John 11:3-4 God wants to heal every sickly sinner. For His glory!
If we look on disability and see weakness, I encourage everyone to look on how each of us came into this world-needy! We do well to look into our hearts, ask God to examine us closely, and allow Him in His kindness to reveal our poor and needy places, and cry out to Him for forgiveness and salvation. “I am poor and needy, yet God thinks upon me” Ps. 40:17
I thank God!
God takes us to places we would never imagine-calls us to do things we never imagined we would be doing. He equips us, as we depend on Him. He makes us able.
I don’t have time to proof read this, and make it as eloquent as it could be. I have got to run, I have arrows to sharpen.
“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph. 3:20-21
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. 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.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.
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.
Eph. 6:10-20
