When I was growing up, one of the most popular P.E. games was Dodgeball. I'm a little ashamed to admit that I was one of the cowardly girls who would stand in the corner, while the big, strong Jr. High boys would run right up to the line and begin whaling the balls across to the other team.
I felt safe hiding against the wall. I could watch all the action, but I didn't have to run the risk of being hurt (or embarrassed)....BUT.....
The inevitable would finally happen....all the boys would have knocked each other out, and the entire game was left up to me and the other bashful girls. Everyone else would watch the painfully slow game continue until everyone finally was finally out.
It wasn't a matter of IF I would be hit, but rather WHEN.
Unfortunately, the same pattern can occur in our spiritual walk. We hide in a corner hoping that we won't have to be hurt,
speak the truth,
or get our hands dirty.
We cower even though we know we will eventually have to stand up to the enemy. We forget that we can be "strong in the power of His might." We are CALLED to fight these spiritual battles!
The truth is that you
WILL be hurt,
WILL fall down,
WILL be embarrassed.
The good news is that our team has already won this war! We know the outcome, and we are victors through Christ! Take hold of the truth in this passage today:
Ephesians 6:10,11
"A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. "