“Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.” ~ Ephesians 6:10
Amber
uncovered her eyes from beneath the duvet as the rhythm of raindrops lightly
tapped her bedroom window. Today would
be a day for an umbrella, strong black coffee and a cinnamon scone; one for
enjoying all the things that go with changing seasons.
When she
stepped outside, a low rumble echoed in the cool fall air - the sky roared with
satisfaction. Rain brings a freshness; every
drop a heavenly gift for each part of creation.
She loved
the sound of rain as it struck each surface: windows like drums, concrete became
cymbals, and soft maracas were the music of the grass. Together they brought such a soothing sound,
a natural melody as beautiful as a mother's soulful hum. Something about this rain had Amber more
relaxed than she’d been in days and in no hurry for the clouds to vanish.
A tiny
smile grew wider as her fingers tightened around it’s handle; one reminiscent
of girlhood. She frolicked, boots in the
rain, her head above puffed clouds warmed by the sun.
She
glanced around, noting those who must have missed (or ignored), the weather
report. They seemed panicked, looking
for cover, miserable as the cold rain soaked them.
Rain came
harder now, boring down upon the city, pounding the rooftops and city streets. Yet, Amber felt safe … and warm. Cloaked in the love of Christ, she will brave
any storm and follow destiny’s chosen path. She was born to live fully, pushing fear aside;
walking past it with a nonchalance which came naturally when shielded by His
mighty power.
Being
underneath her umbrella didn’t stop the rain - it simply stopped the rain from
stopping her. Amber’s umbrella didn’t
calm the storm – it changed the way in which it affected her. Standing firm in the armor of God doesn’t stop
spiritual warfare from raging. It stops
it from defeating us.
We too
can stand firm in the storm when we put on the belt of truth, the breastplate
of righteousness, Bible shoes, the shield of faith, and the helmet of
salvation.
Make no
mistake, we are all in a battle – but it’s warfare worth fighting. We fight it in union with our Lord Jesus
Christ and for His glory. One day the
battle will be no more. We will all be
made perfect in His own likeness; sin will trouble us no more. Until then, fight the good fight of faith. You may well accumulate scars, but they will
be the marks of a life.
Almighty
Father, when I'm tired and weak, You are strong; my only source of
help. I can’t fight without You. Teach me how to pray and to trust You to pull
down those strongholds that keep me and others helpless. Amen
