We Are All On A Journey #5 - Enemy Encounters

On your way, you may encounter an enemy or two


    As was previously mentioned in the section on Jesus' views of things, there is a real battle going on out there for the control of the minds and hearts of mankind. The forces of darkness are always looking to gain a foothold on the thinking of us all. And sometimes we face enemies in forms that are not as easy to understand or clarify. The shades of gray are harder to see through than the black and white. It is important in these times to have a clear understanding of this warfare and to have an attitude that is at once fierce and loving. 
   In his book It's Your Call, author Gary Barkalow shares a great word picture that describes the necessary attitude you must have in order to do well on the journey: 


 "Let's imagine you've just stepped onto a cruise ship for the vacation of your dreams. Your expectations are high--you have picked the best rated cruise liner, the best destinations, the best weather possibilities, and you've paid a premium price. shortly after the cruise begins, the weather changes from cloudless skies and calm seas to wind, rain, and turbulent water. The changing conditions have taken some of your desired activities and freedoms away. You are now forced indoors for most of the time and are relying on the food and amenities to make up for what was taken from you. You are disappointed by the service, which seems unreasonably slow, and the food, which is not as hot and fresh as you expected. All of the other people, who are also seeking shelter from the weather, are invading your space--they are needy and too loud and too numerous. Even when you retreat to the sanctuary of your cabin, you can still hear their voices and their clunking around. You find yourself shouting (at least under your breath), "Why do things have to be like this; why do things have to be so hard;why can't you come through for me God--at least once?    
    Now let me simply change the setting of the story. You are boarding a ship, but it is not a vacation cruise liner; it is a battleship. You have dreamed of and worked hard for this day. Your expectations are high--to be in the company of other warriors playing a significant part  in a great battle for the lives and freedom of others. It's crowded, but you are glad you are not alone and you know that you need other. The food isn't great, but it sustains you. Life fluctuates from boredom to intensity, but you know you are moving toward the objective. The conditions outside may be rough, but you hardly notice because you're focused on your role, your job, your contribution on the ship, and your preparation. You find yourself shouting (at least under your breath), "When do I get to do what I was trained to do; when do I engage the enemy."


    Are you serving on a battleship, or are you expecting service and luxuries on a cruise ship?


With God on your side, you eventually get where you're going


    In the book of Hebrews it is said that "faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen." And then there follows a long list of people who served God throughout  redemptive history. They had a sense of being part of a larger story than just their own lives. They were connected to one another and God by a supernatural thread called faith. 
    There are three general understandings of the term "faith" in the Bible. First is the record of the acts of God and His people and the general beliefs concerning them, which is informational, doctrinal faith. This is the faith "once for all delivered to the saints(Jude 3). Next is faith that is a supernaturally given gift, mentioned in the list of gifts God gives to people on a situational basis, when the need arises. And finally there is the faith that is a trust in and reliance upon another, particularly God. 
    This third kind of faith is what is necessary for us to reach forward and trust that God is with us in our adventures and exploits with God. Jesus is famous for saying "for assuredly, I say to you, if you have faith as a mustard seed, you will say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move; and nothing will be impossible for you(Matt 17:20)." He seemed to say that if we just had enough faith, we could do the same things that he did and more. “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it.(John 14:12-14) To embark upon the journey we are beginning, it takes all three kinds of faith.