So now I am on the field, in a different city in a country where the Name of Jesus is not preached and there are not churches on every street. But going and being the big “M” word – Missionary! - does not mean I am a different person. I am not suddenly a better human being or more of a Christian than any other follower of Jesus. And I definitely do not struggle any less with sin.
I believe that as we journey closer to the heart of God and where He calls us, we simultaneously get closer to his light, but also to the darkness. If things seem harder, it may be that you are on the right path with the Lord. I always picture Frodo in Lord of the Rings: as he and Sam got closer to destroying the ring, it got a lot more dangerous; a lot hotter; a lot scarier; a lot easier to turn against one another.
As we journey closer to the mission God has for us, there seem to be many cracks and chasms along the way – ones we can and do fall into. Obedience separates itself from sin the closer we get to the goal. The trouble is, Sin feels itself being left behind and eradicated. It knows we are trying to dispose of it, so of course, it rears its ugly and wild head preparing to destroy. It hangs on for dear life. It knows it must, and so it does, make its stand. When has it ever been easy to obey? Have we ever walked across a battlefield alone, without any trouble? As believers in Jesus, seeking to follow Him and do His will, we find ourselves always on the battlefield. Some days we are strong warriors, but some days it is easier to give up and be consumed by Sin (gossip, pride, laziness, arguing, etc., etc.). Sin is a strong opponent. It seeks to stop us from reaching the light. It seeks to knock the sword from our hands. It seeks to disconnect communication between us and our General, God.
A warrior on the battlefield has a chance to show his heroism and strength, but also chance to come face to face with weakness. How do we prepare ourselves? We put on our armor (Eph. 6:11-18) and don’t venture out alone. We stand our ground and fight to reach the light.
My prayer: God, don’t let me grieve you today! Help me to fight. Help me to be renewed. Help me to be an imitator of you: loving, patient, kind, understanding, filled with grace. Keep reminding me to not drop my sword! And when I do, please help me pick it up. When it gets too heavy to carry, please put another warrior by my side to hand it to me. I do not want to battle alone. (Eph. 4:30-5:2)