We were completely surrounded. I squinted my eyes and could see through the autumn leaves that the enemy was near. Trying to stay as silent as a mouse in the winter seeking warmth from the bitter cold, my friend and I stepped through the woods trying to avoid any twigs and branches that might crunch under our shoes.
The air-soft fight was in full-force.
The destination seemed a marathon away. For some reason we chose to be outnumbered 2 to 5. We searched through our pockets trying to find as much plastic ammunition as we could to endure the rest of the battle. All we needed was a few moments to break through our hiding place and reach the base. I turned to my left and muttered the words to my friend...
Game On.
For the past four weeks at Crossbridge we have intentionally challenged every single person to join the fight for their life. We believe that the enemy is breathing down our necks as we pursue what God has in store for us next. Because of this, we must equip ourselves with every offensive and defensive weapon we can find in our arsenal.
Prayer.
Time Alone With God.
Spiritual Conversations.
Community.
Paul writes to the church in Ephesus that they too are in the fight for their lives. He tells them that this fight will be lethal, but through relying on the full armor of God, it will be so worth it.
"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 (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV)."
You may be in a fight. You may be desperately crying out to God, asking Him to snatch you from disaster. You may be struggling to wake up in the morning, gasping for breath as the enemy closes in
Hold on. Do not lose hope. For whenever the enemy is close, God is in control (see Deuteronomy 20:1).
Even the storm has to settle at His voice. Even the waves have to bend over at His command. Never forget from whom you were made.
This is the fight for our lives. To the enemy we declare,
GAME ON.
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