Survey for a moment the battlefield. If you observe from a far enough distance, all will be dust and noise and blurred frenzy. A giant mass of indistinct carnage. “A war is being waged”, you will say, “a tragic affair, but I am unstained by its blood”. Approach a bit closer, and blur gives way to focus. Bodies and faces become distinguishable.  Swords shock upon swords. Shouts of ferocity fill the air. The smell of blood and sweat invades your sense of smell and your sense of decency. And finally, if you dare, position yourself near enough to see their eyes. Hear their words. Feel the strain of their bodies. Sense the beating of their hearts. Eyes that look not only to the enemy but to the comrade. Voices that call out commands – and call out for help. Strength exploding in offense – and exhausted by wounds. Hearts of warriors; hearts of friends. And the swords – the magnificent swords – raised in attack, raised in defense, dropped in death, and occasionally, though none would wish it, dropped in shear exhaustion and despair. Watch closely now, and you will observe two more things – the enemy comes to attempt the final blow to the weakened warrior; the comrades come to the defense of their friend. This war is fought on two fronts.

Yesterday I dropped my sword. In despair, in defeat, in discouragement, in resignation. In the middle of the battle for life and joy and healing, Despair crept up and crashed a blow to my heart. Sent me reeling. Knocked me back. Dazed and weary, I listened to his lies. As my sword lay on the ground by my side, I listened and I believed him. All became quiet around me as isolation became the cradle for his deception. “It will never get any better.”  “I will never be free of pain.” “I will be left behind.” “Everyone is sick of hearing my problems.” “I am an utter disappointment to everyone around me.”  Lying there listening, it all sounded so true, so real, so right. And then the final kick in the back, “You are on your own. God is not interested.”  But what that foe did not count on was that I had one last ounce of strength to draw upon – “Alone” is losing its grasp. Though I had to fight to see it, the battlefield came back into view, and I could see the faces of my comrades engaged in the same battle for life and joy. I was not alone. One call for help, though feeble and discouraged, and their swords were drawn in defense of their friend. Surrounding me. Engaging my enemy. Fighting in the authority and strength of our God and King. Close enough to hear my cries, sense the beating of my heart…

Most of our communication yesterday was delivered through texting. A plea for help, and then the individual responses to me that they were fighting for me, and those words of encouragement to repel discouragement. Courage for the battle being infused back into the fallen warrior. Without exception, each friend spoke a truth that I desperately needed to hear from God. Individual. Unique. Spoken from the heart of God through those who bear His Spirit. This is what it is to live out the Gospel. This is what it is to live out the truth that “the Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is upon me” Isaiah 61.  This is what it is to understand that we live in a world at war, and we fight along side our Loving Savior and alongside one another. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18

This is the reality of living in union with the Trinity and in community with one another. I guess if I could choose, life would be a bit more idyllic and fluffy and not so war-like. And that day is coming for us who belong to Jesus. For now, I’m very glad that I have the privilege of knowing that some of the most amazing brothers and sister on the planet, warriors on the battlefield of life and death, have my back – my rehabilitating, painful back~