Battle Cry.

I've been mulling on some difficult truths this weekend...actually over the past few weeks. I feel like I'm being followed by complacency...like that neighborhood dog that comes running alongside of you every morning  and everybody assumes is yours. (Or isn't it?) To be honest I've been a little heartsick over things I've encountered regarding the church.  It's like the bride went and set herself up as an emaciated supermodel. Yeah, the trappings look really good, but the body is undernourished for want of  real food. We think we're righteous, and we portray righteousness in a certain way so that those to whom we wish to portray Christ think that's  what Christianity means. Good behavior. Clean living. It's not. Salvation comes from the Lord. Righteousness comes from living for Him. Esther lived for Him in the harem of a King. Isaiah lived for Him and went naked a year.

Those seem a little peripheral to where I was going, but what I'm trying to say is that I can no longer concern myself with what Christianity looks  like. I've recently realized the absolute necessity of concerning myself with what Christianity lives  like. It's been at the back of my mind for weeks now, and tonight, after trying to focus on "important" things like writing papers and keeping up on facebook,  I found myself heaving great snuffly unladylike sobs on my staircase. Have I been so concerned with making sure that others feel "love" from me that I haven't given them a chance to see what that love actually is? Is it possible that somebody I care for is unaware of my God because I was afraid to speak His name? Have I watched them suffer without offering the Healer of my own wounds?

At this thought I blew my nose, dried my tears, (proceeded to sniffle and cry just a little) and came to the following:

I don't want to live a powerless life. I'm done compromising. I'm determined to love fiercely. I'm going all out- giving everything I have, and going until I drop.  I'm going to war, and I'm going under His banner. I refuse to hang back at the barracks while a giant taunts my God because I find empty words fearsome. Because of the Life He has given me and the Love He has shown me I will fight death itself in the name of the Champion of Life by the power of His Spirit and I will sow in tears on the off chance that I might reap in joy.

 There is too much at risk- too much to loose to be satisfied any longer with armchair theology and religious platitudes. People are dying. Hearts are being ravaged by a smiling enemy that numbs them into leprous complacency. It's time to move. It's time to speak. It's time to break up the fallow ground and to cry out to our God on behalf of those who are suffering for want of a Savior.

 I'm starting on my knees. I'm praying for His power and strength so that others can come to know His peace and grace. I'm praying for boldness and endurance. I'm praying that He'll give me enough of His own love that I'll forget my pride and my comfortable position in favor of  speaking His truth.

Join me?