With a tired and heavy heart I went to a worship night at one of my friend’s churches Wednesday. Generation Church in Jupiter and the Pastors Ben and Melissa are good friends and such a source of encouragement and strength. I knew my soul would leave strengthened. And God did not disappoint.
Worship, communion, prayer, and spoken words from the congregation were incredible. One young man prayed for peace, obviously broken by the week’s world events including so many precious lives lost in Paris. I’ve wanted to write about Paris. I’ve wanted to speak with my own children about it. I’ve wanted to come to you with encouragement and how to talk to your children about the crazy world we live in. And explanations continue to fail me.
But at worship, when this young man spoke so eloquently about peace, the fighter in me rose up.
Peace sounds lovely, and I agree with the heart of this young man. I know the Word says, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” But Jesus also chose a guy like Simon the Zealot and a loud mouth like Peter to be His disciples….so I’m thinkin’ that He gets a girl like me. And here’s what I say to peace…
We must FIGHT. I won’t be picking up a gun and heading to Afghanistan anytime soon, but I will fight none the less. We have men and women in boots on the ground, we have special forces men and women in operations all around the globe in this war on terror and for THEM we must be fighting in the heavenlies.
Our fight is against flesh and blood, but even more than that it is with the spirit behind these men and women making jihad against the rest of us. We, the infidels. We, the enemy. And while peace is the goal, we must fight on our knees, in prayer, in song, in spirit while we go about our day.
I have a photo of Navy Seal SOC Aaron Vaughn and the men he died with in Afghanistan in 2011 hanging up in my bathroom. I look at those men every day and I remember to fight in prayer for those still facing eminent danger in the service of our military. I remember to pray for those in harm’s way that they may take down our enemy on the ENEMY’S soil, before they get to our soil and harm US.
I remember to pray for their loved ones at home, also sacrificing their family that we may sleep under a banner of security. And I remember our nation’s Gold Star Families who have already lost a loved one in the fight against the War on Terror. And that is why we must fight. Fight in prayer. Be a warrior for those warring against an enemy FOR YOU. And if you haven’t already participated in “An American God Star Christmas” as a way of saying thank you to those precious Gold Star children, click here. Make a login. View the soldiers and their families. And GIVE.
GIVE.
GIVE DANGIT. They gave their life for us. The least we can do is give a couple bucks towards the project and/or purchase a gift (they are all under$30) for a specific child.
So I say fight. And pray. And give. And Believe With Me that we can build a better nation through continuing to show people the sacrifice paid for us to have the freedoms, security, and opportunities that we do. They gave their life that we may continue to live out our liberties and pursuit of happiness. Let’s give back to them and feel joy like never before knowing that their precious children will be remembered for the enduring price they are paying on our behalf.
Rachel says
AMEN!!!
Lyette Reback says
And even as I read today’s newsfeed, they are attacking in Mali. We must be as vigilant and battle hard as they are…because we serve the Almighty who is ABLE to protect and DEFEND.