Where are the Warriors?

Several months ago I made the personal decision to enter a mini-marathon, not really sure why, just something I always wanted to see if I could do, like a “bucket list” item.  I talked about it with a friend and she was interested in running with me so we signed up, found a training schedule and started training a few weeks ago.  As I looked over the training schedule, one of the first things I noticed was the days of rest.  You would think training to run 13.1 miles would mean I have to run every day, but no, days of rest were built into the schedule, why?  Because rest is vital to prevent injury to your muscles and to rejuvenate the body so you can run more the next time.

Athletic team schedules at all levels of every type of sport have days built into their schedule to allow time to rest.  In ancient times warriors would rest the night before a big battle, enjoying a feast of food and wine, even the women would travel with them to the camp to “see them off.”  On Sunday afternoons I take a nap to rest and prepare my body for the up-coming work week!  Wait, okay so maybe that isn’t rest, just lazy!!  There is a fine line between resting and being lazy. 

The same holds true for Christians, that fine line between rest and lazy is easy to cross.  It is the moment when you feel inspired by God to do something for your church, start a new program or out-reach, etc., but then decide it isn’t really something you’re comfortable doing or you don’t know enough about getting started, or that you are just too busy.  So you decide, maybe I will just tell somebody my idea and they will run with it; I am content with just “resting” here on the sidelines. 

Rest is necessary, even Jesus rested, but after resting we need to be prepared to fight the battle.  To be the Warrior God has called us to be, to take the idea and run with it on your own.  If God has spoken to you, HE will provide the means to accomplish HIS inspiration.  Remember, God did not call the equipped, He equipped the called!!  If everybody just rested, who would be the voice, hands & feet of Christ to our Christ-starved world?  So where are the warriors?  Take a look in the mirror!!  WE are the warriors!  WE are the soldiers of salvation!  It is us, the church who is called into service to share the Gospel of Jesus to the unbelieving. There are dark forces in this world fighting for the souls of the unbelieving.  Satan already knows his outcome, there is no winning for him against God, BUT Satan will do all he can to drag as many souls possible to the eternity of hell with him!!  As WARRIORS for God we are called to fight the dark forces of evil in this world.

“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.” – Ephesians 6:12

As a warrior called by God, you are also equipped by God, as a warrior!!!

“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.” – Ephesians 6:13-17

Answer the call of the Great Commander, God and clothe yourself daily as a Warrior in HIS Army’s.  The time is now to fight the evil forces in the world and win the lost souls of this world for eternity in Heaven!!

Called by Christ,
Amanda