I am a soldier...
What is a soldier? One source tells me that "a soldier
is someone trained for the government to use heavy weaponry in a war or attack
on a group of people. A soldier is very
brave and will kill the enemy if necessary for his/her survival." This speaks volumes to me as I seek
to arm myself to conquer the enemy of my children’s souls. I am being trained by the King of Kings
(Isaiah 9:6 “and the government will be on His shoulders) to attack the enemy –
the deceiver. I have been given heavy weaponry
(Ephesians 6:10-18 “put on the full armor of God so you can take your stand
against the devil’s schemes”) and I will fight the enemy unto death (Revelation
20:10 “and the devil, who deceived them, was thrown into the lake of fire…and
will be tormented day and night forever”).
I am a soldier…
I have 6 beautiful children whom I love to the very core of my
being. I have always recognized the
battle against the enemy that we must engage in for our children’s souls. It is easy to relate to as the enemy fights
tirelessly for my soul in much the same ways each day. My oldest children are only 11 and I have
often had the luxury of picturing this battle in my mind as a nerf sword fight…”use
kind words” (thump, thump goes the nerf sword)…”say please & thank you”
(thump, thump..)…”love Jesus with all your heart” (thump, thump…)…”hands are
for helping & holding, not hurting” (thump, thump sounds the nerf sword). I
am even able to picture myself with a nice outfit on, cute heeled shoes and
lipstick – still able to gain victory over these battles. Now, don’t get me
wrong, those are all battle-worthy causes that I continue to fight daily, but I
have been called to a higher battleground.
I am a soldier and I have entered a new battlefield. It is the battlefield of abandonment, RAD,
PTSD, ADHD, anxiety, fear, doubt, and rage.
I had to lay down my nerf sword and choose a new weapon, for the battle
set before me is fierce, violent, raging and real. The battle set before me will end in death
and the cost is high; for my children’s souls will not fall victim to the ‘devil’s
schemes’. The bible reminds me to “Be
self controlled and alert. Your enemy
the devil prowls around like a lion looking for someone to devour” 1 Peter 5:8. The enemy rejoiced when my children were
abandoned, figuring it would be an easy win for their souls; until the Lord, in
all His Mighty Splendor, crushed the enemy’s head as He reached down, gathered
them into His arms and whispered to their broken spirits, “you are mine dear
child and I am taking you on a redemption journey. I have chosen soldiers to battle for your
soul and they will not stop fighting until we win the war”. I am a soldier – I was chosen by the King of
Kings for battle & I refuse to lose.
Satan has known no fury greater than that of a parent waging war for
their beloved children for it is the same fury that my Father in Heaven battles
for my soul & reigns victorious each day.
When I rise each morning, I bask in the promise of Lamentations 3:22-23 “Because
of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,
for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your
faithfulness.” Then, I reach for my armor which is heavy, strong and made of
the finest materials. It fits perfectly
as it was crafted by the Creator of the universe just for me. I can hear the clang of the metal as I cover
my chest and the snap of the buckles against the metal as I fasten each piece,
but the part of this morning routine that resonates with my soul is when I
slowly and with great intention pull my sword from its sheath. It is very sharp and the sound of metal on
metal, “shiiiiiiiiiiing!” as it is invited to go before me into battle humbly reminds
me, that I am a soldier... I
have been given the ‘sword of the spirit’ as my weapon of choice and I will
fight to win the victory until death & redemption prevail…
