There's been some talk lately about the state of Christian publishing, and how things are either grand, or grinding to a halt.
I may be a bit Pollyanna-ish on this, but here's my take.
And as always, for my strength, I look to my faith.
One of my favourite phrases has always been "Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might."
So, let's look at that passage in Ephesians, shall we?
But first, imagine you're actually there...in Ephesus....sniffing the pink oleander...
You just checked some scrolls out of the library...
Now you're waiting for Paul of Tarsus to come and speak...
Eph 6:10-17 (NIV) ...Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armour 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 armour 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 round 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.
Now, read that again, and tell me what armour is missing?
Go ahead, I'll wait.
Figure it out yet?
There's no mention of what shall cover our backs, what piece of protection will the armour makers have forged to save our spines and necks?
Why?
Perhaps, and this is a thought I heard a while ago, and I can't remember where, but maybe...
Maybe???
God never meant for us to turn our backs on the battle.
Read that again.
When does God realize He's losing?
When does He sound the retreat for His kingdom?
Never.
Wow, Jennifer! That's wonderful. It also occurs to me that God has our backs. As well as our fellow Christians. Thank you for that :)
ReplyDeleteYou're most welcome, Tam! Isn't it jaw-dropping to know that the God of the universe ALWAYS has our backs?
DeleteSo true. Thank you. The sky may indeed fall, but we will not be buried under it. God-breathed stories will always find a way … its easy to panic and give in to the negativity. How much better to hold fast to his promises, do what He's told us to do, and trust him in all of it. Either way, change will come, good or bad. It always does. Let's not forget to pray, for the authors in the midst of the storm, those just learning how to rig the sails, and the ones trying to navigate the ship in very choppy seas. The thing about storms, while they're scary when you're in the middle of them, they don't last. Eventually the sea will calm, the sun will emerge, and all will be well.
ReplyDeleteOh wow! I love this!! Thank you!
DeleteGreat thoughts, Jennifer! Thank you for sharing. I'd never thought of the armor of God that way!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Janette!
DeleteI never did either, until I heard/read/saw the preacher and it blew me away.
Yes. Full speed ahead. The best we can. Lovely, Jennifer. And I love what Tamara said about God having our backs. So sweet. xoxo
ReplyDeleteThank you, and yes, so did I!
DeleteIt's not a retreat. It's merely an attack in a retrograde direction.
ReplyDeleteBut armour in the back is a good idea...in the Black Hawk Down fight in Mogandishu, Sgt. James Casey Joyce was shot in the back by a sniper; he had left the back plate out of his body armour, because it was quite heavy, and no one expected the resistance they encountered.
Retreat...or the immortal "Bug out!"...is sometimes needed, to survive and fight another day.
Case in point, me. I swore two years ago that I would not take painkillers again, but had to eat those words earlier this summer when things became intolerable, and, considering the lethality of shock, life-threatening. The pride of "I can hack this" was not a hill worth dying on.
Ironically, the painkillers don't work, except minimally, and in larger amounts than that with which I am comfortable. Such is life.
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/07/your-dying-spouse-30-caregiver-meltdown.html
Thank God that He doesn't need to retreat or attack in a retrograde direction.
ReplyDelete