It used to be that we had common enemies - foreign countries and foreign radicals who threatened to invade and bomb our land. The battle was not against ourselves. It was not internal. Or was it? What do we do when the enemy is us? Where do we run for cover from ourselves? How do we fight when we are fighting our neighbors, friends and within our own communities? This seems so out of order. It seems so unnatural. We thought that we had conquered this internal demon in the '60s and '70s. Some even suggested that we were a better people than our predecessors, because we are global, multicultural and tolerant now. We use all of those buzz words to signify the current advancement and sophistication in us. However, we have been tragically brought back to the reality of us. We are fractured by our own pride. How are we supposed to combat that? Where are we supposed to run for cover and refuge from ourselves? Who will help us when we seem unwilling to help ourselves? Who can make the difference?
I've heard many in our communities say that we lack leadership. They say that our leaders are failing us. They ask where are those who led the struggles in the South? In the '60s. In the '70s? They blame the leaders of old for not standing up for us today. Though, I wonder, what if they can no longer stand up? What if their feet are swollen and battered from the previous fights? What if their flesh is cut, torn, bruised and unhealed? What if their minds are clouded and their hearts are discouraged? After all, who can physically and emotionally fight forever? And, is this fight, today's fight, the same fight as the fight as that of the '60s and the '70s, or is this a struggle that requires new weaponry?
"Thus saith the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude; for the battle is not yours, but God's...You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf " 2 Chronicles 20:15, 17 NASB
The fight, in fact, is not new. The struggle is not novel. It is as old as the universe. It has been here all the time. And, the enemy has not changed. He is as cunning and evil as he has always been. His tactics are as aged as time. The thing is, however, that we somehow, in our pride and haughtiness, have believed the lie that this fight is our fight. We have believed the lie that the enemy is each other. It's no wonder we are not winning, but we are losing more miserably today than ever before.Racism, sexism, classism, oppression, privilege, prejudice, hate and discrimination all have one root cause: fear. We don't talk about our fear. We don't face our fear, because we want to believe we are strong. But ...maybe... just maybe, we are not. Maybe we are fighting each other, because we are afraid and overwhelmed, and we refuse to acknowledge that we are helpless to fight the enemy alone. We think we have to figure it out on our own, but we can't. This struggle was not designed for us to figure out. It was designed for us to submit and stand. Sounds strange. Instead of fighting, stand. Well, it is strange if this were a battle that you had created, but when you are in some else's fight, a fight that proceeds you, you need to fight on that person's terms.
This is Someone else's fight. That Someone, the Scripture tell's us is God. God who is the Master Warrior. God who is the Ancient of Days. God who never sleeps or slumbers. God who is the Lord of Heaven's Armies. God, who does not fight using human reasoning and weapons. God who's battle requires His strategies and tactics. His battle requires His creation to surrender to His ways. His ways are not like our ways, because His ways are tied to His thoughts, His purpose and His character.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways, And My thoughts than your thoughts." Isaiah 55:8-9 NASB.
In order for you and I to survive and win in God's battle, we have to submit to His tactics. We have to employ His strategies. We have to rely on God's wisdom and ways. His ways include praying and believing. Just as Jehoshaphat, in 2 Chronicles 20, led the people by standing before them and boldly praying, worshiping, praising, shouting and surrendering before the Lord, we as a people must now do the same. Instead of fighting each other, we must come together in surrender to God, praying before Him, believing that He will hear us, and watching Him fight!. God is able to handle even this battle on His own.
How do we overcome? How do we survive this season of bloodshed. By doing it, "His Way."
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Be Well, Be Blessed, Trust the Savior,
Ms KimParis
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