The battle

via my pinterest

Dear friends,
I've had this subject on my mind recently and I thought I would share with you my thoughts:
  
The Battle. It's not a battle that you can just open your eyes and look at; it is not one where you will find the bodies of men lying on the field in the wake of the fighting; it is not one where you can buy weapons or means of defense and be protected and yet... there is a battle going on. Right outside of our view.
There are men and women dying as the enemy takes hold of their lives and convinces them that God is not real; that He does not care... they are giving up the fight and letting the things of this world blind their eyes.
They throw down their shields and swords and before they know it; they are knocked down and defeated. The enemy makes quick work of those that are weak.

And yet what about the other side? The side where Jesus will lead all of His followers into sure victory?  Because although the battle may seem unseen and far off, there are evidences of it all around you and there are two sides fighting for your soul.
   DARKNESS, and LIGHT. 
And yet we know that Jesus is stronger than all evil. That our Father will hedge about us and HIS hand will guide us... then why do we give in to defeat?
He has given us the power to fight against our enemy... the strength to rise when we are pushed down, and the promise that He will return one day and take us to be forever with Him.
It is the deceiving light of this world that takes our eyes off of the battle that is waging. We find little trinkets that consume us... and yet what are we?? Are we the children of this world, or soldiers for the Captain of the winning side?

I find it so exciting. all this of this. and yet I know that I have so far to go... I feel like I am barely scratching the surface of something so very marvelous and wonderful.

    We have been chosen to fight in the army of the living God. 

You may be wondering where all of this came from...
I have been reading a book from the Kingdom series by Chuck Black and let me tell you... it has been a long time since I have been so blessed by a book. It has moved me to tears and made me realize the reality of our world being at war. Not in the physical, but in the spiritual.
And if I may, I would like to share a portion of the book that has broken my heart. (in a good way) and I hope that it will move you in much the same way.

"As I [Cedric] approached the docks, I saw two ships already underway out to sea. The were full of fellow knights. The silent mass of people flowed steadily from the street and unto the ships, all of them passing by one man- the Prince! 

I could not contain my enthusiasm. My quickened pace turned to a full run. No longer was He wearing the clothes of a peasant. He was now clothed in full royal attire, which framed His majestic character. His magnificent sword hung near His side. The sight of Him demanded awe and respect. This was only a glimpse of what He had given up to set us free. Soon I would see the splendor of His kingdom and all its riches. He did this for me!

My mind could hardly grasp that statement as truth. The King and His Son must love us more than we thought possible- more than we could love even our own children. What a strange way to save the kingdom!

The Prince looked at me as I cam to Him. Those same penetrating eyes smiled at me. Tears spilled unto my cheeks as I knelt before Him and took in His loving gaze. Just as He once before had lowered Himself for me as a peasant, He knelt to one knee and put His hand behind my neck. 

His voice was quiet and sincere.

"Well done, Cedric. Well done!"

I lowered my head and wept. Oh, how I had craved to hear those words. They were the price for all my journeys... all my struggles. I cherish them to this day more than gold. 

The Prince raised me to my feet and hugged me as though I was His son. I was already home!"

-Amy Jane