Do you ever feel like just getting out of bed is a battle?
No? Well, uh, me either (ahem, cough, cough)
Ok, yes, some days just getting out of bed is a battle. Lately, being a caregiver for my grandpa means sometime nights just getting to bed is a battle. Raising a boy, a 13 year old boy, can be a battle. Teaching can be a battle. Relationships are occasionally a battle. And the list goes on and on.
Gideon had a battle of his own to fight. His story gives a lot of insight to us when it comes to fighting our own battles. Priscilla started the day with the climax of the story of Gideon (Judges 7) and worked backward throughout the day. So the whole story here starts with defeating the enemy.
Two things we must remember when facing our own battles:
"The enemy is afraid of you"!
and
"Christ has already defeated the enemy"!
Before you or I let those feelings of defeat settle in, we should remind ourselves of those words. Satan wants to destroy you, that is his goal. He will do anything to upset you, anything to get you take your eyes off the prize. Satan will take your time, your energy and anything else he can to keep you from serving the Lord.
One weapon we have when facing a battle is worship. Priscilla stated "There is power in your worship". Do you really believe that? It's absolutely the truth. Priscilla also shared something else that brought about an aha moment in me: "It is a devastation for the enemy to know more about our potential in Christ than we do". What?! How true it this? And how often do we let this happen? The devil knows just how to convince us we are never enough, never going to be good enough at something, and that we won't make a difference. I strongly feel that if the devil is going to take time to pick a battle with us about something we better believe that something was just the outlet God intended to use.
So when do we worship? Only at church? Only on Sunday's? Do we even honestly worship our Lord and Savior with the worship He deserves then? (That is totally a heart question between you and God, not all worship looks the same). Well, then, when should we worship?
We should be worshiping God continually. Thanking Him for everything He has done and everything He plans to do in our lives. Thanking Him in advance for what He is going to do. Worship Him through every moment and situation. For me, a good majority of my genuine worship takes place in my car; windows down, music up loud, singing at the top of my lungs. (And trust me when I tell you that I am trusting that all worship is pleasing to the Lord because it is not an exaggeration when I say that no one else need be exposed to that- musically gifted I am not. But I love music and it is how I primarily choose to worship.) Let me be honest with you though, I wish I felt I could worship, "with arms high and heart abandoned" (The Stand), any time, any place and not just in the privacy of my car. I have some serious issues with letting go and being translucent with other people. Sigh. This is something I desire to overcome, my mind is just so overly critical of myself. (So much so that I'll be surprised if these lines even remain in this blog post). If only I could realize this for what it is, it is satan trying to defeat me. How much more useful, powerful in Jesus name, for Jesus I would be be if I could let loose and worship like my heart actually feels about Jesus.
Priscilla shared a story during the simulcast about Mama and Mimi. Mama is a woman in Priscilla's church who loves to worship. Mama can often be found dancing in the aisle worshiping her Savior. Mama's daughter Mimi was about the same age as Priscilla. They had known each other and been friends since back in their youth group days at the church. Mimi had a disease however that eventually caused her entire body to harden. Mimi passed away in her early 30's. Priscilla remembers going to the funeral with several of her's and Mimi's friends. Sitting in the row right behind Mama to offer support if needed. But what she will never forget was during one of the quiet times during the funeral between two speakers, Mama got up and started praising the Lord! She thanked the Lord for allowing her the years she was able to spend with her daughter. She thanked the Lord for her daughters salvation and so many other wonderful things she felt the Lord blessed her with through Mimi. What a testimony of faith! You can bet the devil didn't see that coming! Priscilla continued by sharing that Mama was able to do this because Mama knows the secret to hope- "This is not our home!" She knew that Mimi was finally home and that she too would go home one day. This sorrow would not last.
"Choose to rejoice". No matter what, choose to rejoice. Yes, I realize these words are so much easier to say than to do. Even in situations much less heartbreaking than the loss of a child. But the enemy can not defeat you, satan cannot win the battle when we are praising the name of Jesus.
Lord,
Strengthen my faith to be that of the depth of Mama's. Show me how to rejoice in You in every situation. Allow me the courage and freedom in myself to worship "with arms high and heart abandoned" any time and any place. Take away my reservations and self consciousness that keeps me from giving you the praise you deserve. Empty me Lord and fill me with only You. Every day. Every hours if needed. I love you Lord and I want to the world to know, and not just know, but for them to love You too. I want everyone who knows me to know You.
In Jesus name,
Amen
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