My 40 days officially ended yesterday. What started out with a bang sadly seemed to end with a whimper. Since my last post, life has been incredibly busy and slightly crazy.
If idle hands are the devil’s workshop, as the old saying goes, then I think busy hands are his playground. Busyness and distraction are two of his greatest tools in keeping us away from the work we are called to do.
It was a good lesson, though, because as great as this time has been, I can’t always hide away from the world. Life has a way of getting in the way. The best laid plans easily go awry, and it’s not always possible to spend our time the way we want. Things happen that are out of our control, and sometimes there’s just nothing else to do but roll with the punches.
But having a crazy week has taught me that I have to fight for my writing time. It’s not always going to come easy. I have to fight to make the most important thing, well, the most important thing.
We are in a war. No matter what your calling is, you are called to battle. Like any great story, our lives weave a tale of good versus evil. Even if your evil is just a busy and distracted life, you must fight against it so that the good life you dream of can prevail.
Ephesians 6:12 reminds us that our battle is very real: “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” And our adversary has a very real battle plan. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
But take heart, fellow soldiers. We are not in this battle by ourselves. Check out Exodus 14:14, Joshua 1:9, John 16:33, and 1 John 4:4 just as a few of my favorite reminders that we do not fight alone. “If God be for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
So maybe you didn’t win the battle today. That doesn’t mean you’ve lost the war. To quote a line from my beloved Anne of Green Gables, “Tomorrow is fresh, with no mistakes in it.” Start again. His mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-24). Put on your armor (Ephesians 6:10-17) and fight on!
Hope Welborn 
The beautiful thing about Exodus 14:14, is Exodus 14:15. As if God is saying move on and do what I’ve called you to do. I’ve an incredible story to share someday about how God led me directly to this verse when I was on a particular spiritual quest. I was trying to fight the wrong battle. Instead of going ahead and doing what God was telling me to do, I was trying to fight the circumstances. He kept telling me “Trust me Steve.” “Steve, trust me.” Well, He wins again! And I’m glad!
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Sister you are right, we are in a war. We don’t have time to do anything but fight for souls!! Love you and proud of your stand for Christ!
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You have a wonderful take on this thing called life. March on, my spunky little friend! I love you. 🙂
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