Just Who Are You Anyway?

I planned last evening to begin walking outside again, when the sun rises. It rose right on time this morning.  I knew it was not going to be an easy thing to do when I have hit and missed walking a treadmill for years. My knees have been used and abused. Positive thinking started me creating a “walking” playlist of songs. Great music by the Bee Gees, Adele, and others that hopefully would put pep in my step and help me forget the pain that I “knew” my knees were going to give me. Now where do you suppose that thought came from? That pain thought? Yep. The great deceiver. I refer to him as the enemy. The thwarter of all that is good. The great imposter. The instigator of defeated thinking.

I put on my walking attire feeling just a bit nervous. Grabbed my phone and ear buds and started for the street. Once again, a thought out of nowhere. Good thing you have a phone with you,  just in case you can’t make it back. Same enemy! He does not give up! Well, to shorten this story. I made it!! I made it with flying colors! No emergency phone call for help was required!! But, I had an interesting walk.

I hit shuffle on my playlist to mix up the music a bit. As I started to walk, Stephen Curtis Chapman’s “Warrior” began to play. I love that song. I loved the “WarRoom” movie.  I just let that song play over and over again as I continued to walk. Forget the Bee Gees and Adele on this, my maiden voyage back to walking outside. It was good that I listened over and over again. Sometimes, we just need to replay who we are,  until our minds, get it!

We forget just exactly who we are. The world tries to define us. Put us in a box.  If we are believer’s in Christ, we are born to be warriors. Not wimps. Not whiners. Not excuse makers. WARRIORS! Think about that. We fight with the sword of the spirit (word of God) and a shield of faith. Our stance is firm. Our prayers and conversation with God originate on our knees. Yes, those knees that are young and athletic or knees, like mine; worn out from years of living.

We have so many things going on in this world that are vying for our attention. Nationally, in our state, our cities, our workplaces and our homes. A lot of distraction. Who is causing all that? Why the one who wants to be the lion, of course.  He desires to devour and rip to shreds our hopes and dreams. I say desires, because he can never be “THE LION.” Only One can be that. His name is Jesus. The imposter was defeated from the cross. He knows that. But he will continue trying to win admirers until he is cast down forever. The world is trying to tell us to forget about the Triune God. They want Jesus to be old business. The enemy really hopes that we will fall for that lie. Because if we forget who we are, then we stop doing the things we are called to do on this earth. We are the light and the salt. We are the hands and feet, the voices of Jesus on this earth until He returns. If we stop praying, stop talking, stop believing…then the light goes out and the salt has lost its purpose. That purpose? As a preservative of the good in society against the evil that entered the world through the garden. That balance will be lost.

I am encouraged this morning. Encouraged to keep walking. Encouraged that there are millions of warriors. Millions of prayers going up from all over this country and the world. We have a leader who did not give up. He goes before and behind us. He is the Lion of Judah. He is battle ready and able. So are we. I guess the question today is, “Who are you anyway?” I pray that you are a warrior for Christ.

~Scripture For Today~

Matthew 5:13 -16

13 You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men. 14 You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (NASB)

Psalm 28:7

7 The Lord is my strength, my shield from every danger. I trust in him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs and thanksgiving. (NLT)

Psalm 18:39

39 You have armed me with strength for the battle; you have subdued my enemies under my feet. (NLT)

~Prayer For Today~

Hello Father! We praise You for Your love for us. For Your patience with us. We pray for boldness to pick up our shield and sword and become dedicated warriors for You. We kneel before You in fervent prayer for our country, our homes, and our workplaces. We are battle ready, armed with Your word. Forgive us for our sins. In Jesus’ name. Amen. 

©2016 Kathy Ledbetter. All Rights Reserved.