Public warrior, that’s who you are! Whether you are a blog reader or a blog writer you have taken on the task of being a public warrior. Don’t be so skeptical, it’s a task that God gave you before you were even born. It is an undeniable part of the declaration of “believer”. “Our struggle is not with flesh and blood but with the principalities, with the powers, with the world rulers of this present darkness, with the evil spirits in the heavens.” (Ephesians 6:12) It’s kind of like gravity. You can insist that you don’t believe in gravity but if you jump off of the Empire State Building, gravity will still impact you.
“I never signed up for that.”; might be one of your first thoughts. Isn’t it possible to love Jesus, live my life, give to the poor, be a good person and witness to faith that way? The answer to that question is a basic NO. Faith is not a spectator sport. Evil is present and active in the world and it impacts your life continuously. As a believer you are expected to be aware of evil, where it exits and then take action against it. As a lay person you will never lead an exorcism but what about that person who speaks misinformation against the Church or tells racist jokes or cheats their employer in your presence? Do you do anything about those things or do you keep silent and hope they will go away? Maybe you have been moved to attend the March for Life or pray before an abortion clinic or teach your daughter that moving in with her boyfriend is a wound against the Lord that makes him weep.
There is not the slightest question that the Lord expects us to take a stand in the instances where we are clear that evil is operating. We don’t have the luxury of the “safe position”. Jesus himself looked in the face of his disciples and told them:
“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, with what can it be seasoned? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot” (Matthew 5:13).
As a believer the position of neutrality is not an option either. The revelation message about taking a stand is so strong that it would be foolishness to pass it off as hyperbole;
“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked,…” (Rev 3:15-17).
In our society of wants which have become more important than needs this message has an urgency that shouts for action. So it’s a matter of responsibility not convenience. If you have been avoiding your job it’s time to rethink your position as a Christian. Scripture is clear and there’s nothing iffy about God’s expectation of us. Whether you are writing, reading or going about your daily business, you have the tools and the backup. Employ your angel regularly. Follow Ephesians 6 daily and do not forget that the Holy Spirit is at your disposal.
“That is why you must rely on God’s armor, or you will not be able to put up any resistance when the worst happens, or have enough resources to hold your ground. So stand your ground, with truth buckled around your waist, and integrity for a breastplate, wearing for shoes on your feet the eagerness to spread the gospel of peace and always carrying the shield of faith so that you can use it to put out the burning arrows of the evil one. And then you must accept salvation from God to be your helmet and receive the word of God from the Spirit to use for a sword. Pray all the time, asking for what you need, praying in the Spirit on every possible occasion” (Eph. 6:13-18 Jer. Bible).
When you’re writing, have the courage to wage war It will make God smile!
KathrynCunningham
Kathryn is a retired junior high teacher. A convert with a love for the Church she believes that its teachings have a more than viable application for today's world. She writes practical theological for the people in the pews believing that they have as much right to good catechesis as our youth and converts. Her writings appear on Catholic web sites and local Church publications. She has even been published in the diocese of Australia and most recemtly Zenit. Kathryn holds a Master's in Theology and is a certified spiritual director. Learn more about Kathryn at: www.atravelersview.org
inspiring
And Kathryn, if you are coming to Chicago, I am buying you a drink.
Oh yeah, this had to come from a high school teacher who lived to see retirement. You have certainly started my day right. Will check out your blog to see how the battle is running, and I invite you to mine, where I am trying to urge us forward to form a third party like Hungary’s FIDESZ and go for the full restoration of the social reign of Jesus Christ. (Am a retired English teacher myself, thirty five years in urban classrooms.)
Right on Kathryn—Our faith and way of life is under attack. I know that in my own way I do try to fight back using “printed words” for arrows. Where those arrows land I am never sure but at least I know they are out there. Thanks for a great post. Appreciate it.
Larry P