Scripture promises that Christ has won. But it also promises that we will fight. We'll need armor. We'll need support. We don't live in the realization of triumph, but the reality of battle. (Ephesians 6, where the story at the bottom of the page continues...)
I've been listening to the same song on repeat in my car today. A preview of the Easter music at newlife:
"This is my prayer in the battle, when triumph is still on it's way..."
I cling to this lyric today as I listen to teenagers explain their collapsing worlds. I know that triumph will arrive. But, I pray during the battle. These young men and women may have no idea how God is shaping them, but I know that He will triumph. His compassion runs deeper than mine ever can, for He made these children in His image. His love is Victory in itself, but He will bring Triumph.
I cling to this lyric today as students offer the privilege of their time. I feel hopeless, useless and tired. But God asks me to love His children. God asks me to experience His love. In the battle, He asks me to remember that He is triumphant. He's never weary. He never leaves. Battle takes time. Battle takes sweat and blood and tears. Battle takes a lot of tears.
Romans 8 claims that in Christ we are "more than conquerors." Christ is victory. This battle is worth every moment. Every wound helps our hearts know Christ. We are called to rejoice in His sufferings. What an honor! What a privilege!
When triumph seems to lag, I will pray. I will be still, even if it kills me. That's the beauty of battle.
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
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Ephesians 5
Therefore, be imitators of God as dearly loved children and live in love, just as Christ also loved us and gave himself for us, a sacrificial and fragrant offering to God. But among you there must not be either sexual immorality, impurity of any kind, or greed, as these are not fitting for the saints. Neither should there be vulgar speech, foolish talk, or coarse jesting – all of which are out of character – but rather thanksgiving. For you can be confident of this one thing: that no person who is immoral, impure, or greedy (such a person is an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let nobody deceive you with empty words, for because of these things God’s wrath comes on the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them, for you were at one time darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of the light – for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth – and find out what pleases the Lord. Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. For the things they do in secret are shameful even to mention. But all things being exposed by the light are made evident. For everything made evident is light, and for this reason it says:
“Awake, O sleeper!
Rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you!”
Therefore be very careful how you live – not as unwise but as wise, taking advantage of every opportunity, because the days are evil. For this reason do not be foolish, but be wise by understanding what the Lord’s will is. And do not get drunk with wine, which is debauchery, but be filled by the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music in your hearts to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for each other in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, and submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord, because the husband is the head of the wife as also Christ is the head of the church – he himself being the savior of the body. But as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave himself for her to sanctify her by cleansing her with the washing of the water by the word, so that he may present the church to himself as glorious – not having a stain or wrinkle, or any such blemish, but holy and blameless. In the same way husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one has ever hated his own body but he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ also does the church, for we are members of his body. For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and will be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh. This mystery is great – but I am actually speaking with reference to Christ and the church. Nevertheless, each one of you must also love his own wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
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