I awakened last night at 2:30 am sick, literally sick, over one I love- one who has wandered too close to the edge of the darkness, and now as I fight to bring her home, the battle is fierce. I wade into the front lines time and again with the only weapons afforded me-
Prayer. Tears. The truth spoken in love.
Onward Christian Soldiers sounded so noble, so tough when we sang it in Vacation Bible school as a kid. I didn’t know then that battles of the Kingdom of God aren’t fought like those of men.
There is no glory. Jesus waged the war for all of Creation as he hung naked on a cross…
We don’t show up to kick butt and take names. We come to lay down our lives, and allow our hearts to break.
All we get is the banner of our Savior, because as He said, “No disciple is above his teacher…” (Luke 6)
So, like Christ, we give our all for the sake of those who are wandering too close to the darkness. We go after them, love our only weapon, and we allow our hearts to break so that just maybe they will see Jesus in it, and choose the light.
We take up our cross, and follow Christ.
I think the prosperity Gospel is worse than a lie. It is just plain cruel. What is this absurdity that if we show up and do the right things for God that life will give us everything we want, that we will be free from suffering, living in bliss?
Certainly there is peace, joy, and abundance for our souls found in the presence of God, but it has been my personal experience that as we work to alongside the Redeemer to help bring His restoration to a broken world life down here on planet earth is often is a difficult and painful.
The truth is…when we shine God’s light into the darkness, we can pretty much count on the darkness punching back. With force.
And lately I have been catching it straight in the teeth, or maybe the gut.
I am sorry I can’t tell you that you will always be victorious when you work alongside God to bring His restoration to a broken world, but what I can tell you is that this life is the real thing, and though there may be nights when you awaken at 2:00 am with your stomach churning, and tears soaking your pillow for the one who wanders far…
Jesus will meet you there. You will know Him in those dark hours of the night. When the prosperity Gospel fails at 2:30 am, Jesus is forever faithful.
And someday, may it be soon, He is coming for us, and when that day comes… Do you think there is anything here that could possibly compare to what is waiting for those who are faithful to Him?
He will wipe away very tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 esv
