.He wanted a light saber for Christmas. He would turn everything he could think of into a sword. He would get a knife or sword from his Legos or pirate figures to fight with. They weren't even an inch long!
He didn't care how good his opponent was either. He would give Abigayle a light saber, who probably wasn't even 2 years old yet, and she would just hold it out, not moving. He would jump all over and strike the light saber as if she was as involved in the combat as he was.
Of course, with the fighting
came explanation of who we attack and fight against and who we don't.Garrett was looking for a worthy opponent. He wanted to defeat the "bad guys," and asked if there were real "bad guys."
He came to the conclusion Satan
would be the best opponent to fight
seriously.Weeks went by.
"Mom, I want to fight Satan
with a real sword!"He gets this look on his face that says, "Now, I know what you're going to say..."
And he says, "and I don't mean the Sword of the Spirit!"
I laughed. That's awesome!
Three things come to mind when I think about this story.
1) Spiritual warfare
is real!"For we do not wrestle
against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness
of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places." (Eph. 6:12)2) We are armed
and protected
!"Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against
the wiles of the devil...and take...the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God
." (Eph. 6:11,17)3) Where's the adventure in our faith!?
"...Who through faith
subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again...of whom the world is not worthy...obtained a good testimony through faith
." (Heb. 11:33-35, 38, 39, Read all of chapter 11!)If only we wouldn't normalize our faith
, which sucks the life and passion
out of it."Assuredly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will by no means enter it." (Lk. 18:17)
Fight
Satan like you mean it! Fight
him like you were 5!MEDITATE ON IT
How real do you think spiritual warfare is? Where did you get these views?
Would you describe your faith as passionate? If no, what is missing?
What can you do to make your faith seem more adventurous, and cultivate your relationship with God?
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father, so often we have no idea what Your intentions are for us. We are fooled by lies that our life in You will be boring and emotionless. Father, You are as exciting as it gets. Make that our reality. Open our eyes to the adventure You have for us. Open our minds and hearts to see You as You are, and not how we perceive You. Forgive
us for settling for passionless faith, and lifeless relationship with You. Teach us, show us, help us give You our all.
LIVE IN IT
"[God] is able
to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians
3:20)
"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:14-17)
"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us." (Romans
8:37)
Would you describe your faith as passionate? If no, what is missing?
What can you do to make your faith seem more adventurous, and cultivate your relationship with God?
PRAY ABOUT IT
Father, so often we have no idea what Your intentions are for us. We are fooled by lies that our life in You will be boring and emotionless. Father, You are as exciting as it gets. Make that our reality. Open our eyes to the adventure You have for us. Open our minds and hearts to see You as You are, and not how we perceive You. Forgive
us for settling for passionless faith, and lifeless relationship with You. Teach us, show us, help us give You our all.LIVE IN IT
"[God] is able
to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us." (Ephesians 3:20)"Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith
with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." (Ephesians 6:14-17)"Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors
through Him who loved us." (Romans 8:37)