The Boxing Match Begins…
The journey that had brought me to this point had been arduous, a rollercoaster ride filled with slow crawls up the peak of a steep-rising hill followed by a plummet to the lowest of valleys below.
The difference in a rollercoaster and this life journey was that more times than not there didn’t seem to be enough momentum for my friend to climb the next hill and, as hard as I tried to hold on to her, she would break out so that she could stay in the valley a little longer.
It was so hard to understand what power this deep, dark place held over her, but the fact was it had become so familiar to her that she had begun to mistake it as her safe place. It was miserable. It was scary. It was damp and dark. But, it’s what she knew. And, as a bonus, she couldn’t fall any deeper if she was already at the bottom. Or so she thought.
Truth was, the bottom of this valley, this pit, was the final battleground. At stake was not only the rest of her life on earth and a God-given purpose that would increase and change the face of Heaven exponentially, but her own soul.
Not since Job had satan been more conniving as he knew how important she was in God’s plan. He studied her intently. He learned her weaknesses. He knew just where to deliver the next blow. He knew who and what to use against her. He knew when to take the gloves off. But, like Job, he also knew he could not, himself, take her life.
She would have to do that herself. He had her trapped in the valley. She was trapped in the boxing ring. Now he just needed to get her to throw in the towel.
Writer’s Note: The above is an excerpt of a story that is still being written, both figuratively and literally. I share it today, because my friend is fighting her way out of the valley as I type and I know that I know that she will emerge victoriously.
Indeed, a woman of petite stature, she has never been particularly strong from the physical perspective. But, from a spiritual standpoint, it is a much different story. The problem has always been that she doesn’t really recognize her own strength.
Yes, even though there is no doubt that God has handpicked this woman to play a pivotal role in His grand plan, she is yet to connect the dots…until now. I pray for her constantly as she undergoes this time of sorting out the puzzle pieces of her life–some quite jagged and still very painful–to impact the world in a way only she can; the way that God designed from the very beginning.
Get behind us, Satan, for the gloves are off and you are going down. Can’t you hear Heaven’s roar? I can.
remember this, Lord, and grow in the habit of meeting you here. Help me to have an increasing awareness of you and to continue talking with you throughout my day. Help me to remember that you care about every aspect of my life, not just what I consider the big things. I just don’t know how people do life without you, dear Lord. The times that I have allowed myself to be detached from your presence, I have been miserable. Hold me close, God, and protect me daily from my enemies. I long to hear only your voice. My heart is filled with the desire to please you and to fulfill your will and purpose for me; help my fleshly desires to follow suit. I love you. And I thank you for continuing to love and bless me. Amen and Ehmen.
any work or other “necessary” information during the overnight hours. I don’t know why I do these things. My desire is to meet You here on this blank page FIRST thing in the morning and, yet, I don’t. I spend a half hour doing something else. I am reminded of the words of, I think it was Paul, who professed in Your Word how desperately he hated when he did what he didn’t want to do. He moaned about not understanding himself. Boy, can I ever relate to that! Lord, I’m so sorry for not meeting You here first thing and I ask again for Your help in the days to come. I have so many other things I want to talk to You about, but I first have to get past this. Help me, Lord, for apart from You, I know that I can do nothing. I love You, Dear Father. And I thank You for Your continual forgiveness. I sure don’t deserve it, but I sure need it. Amen and Ehmen.
commitment to meet You here for at least 30 minutes every morning for the next seven days. I have missed our time together more than I even know how to express. Fortunately, I know You know my heart and You know the depths that I am feeling. My heart, my soul and my spirit long to be close and connected to You; to experience the closeness and supernatural wonders that come with that closeness. To hear Your voice, Your correction and Your direction and to be obedient to Your leading. Lord, help me to be cognizant of Your Holy Spirit. Help me to turn down the noise around me and focus on what is truly important—You and Your kingdom. You know my needs at work. Help me to be successful without feeling like I have to give up my time with You. Meet me where I am. Help me to stay in constant communion with You, to walk and breathe in the Spirit. And, as for the job for which I applied, Lord I ask that, if it is Your will, that You make it clear to the one that will be hiring as well as to me. But, if it is not where You want me, make me able to accept it and continue waiting for the opportunity that You have designed just for me. You know I need Your help, Lord. I need Your help tuning my ears to You. Please make me receptive to Your leading. I want nothing more than to fulfill your purposes for me. May Your will, Lord, not mine, be done in my life just as it is in Heaven. I love You, sweet Jesus, with all that I am. From the bottom of my heart, I remain Yours.
of you. Though born the visible image of the invisible God, there was no royal pomp and circumstance upon My arrival. There was no palace, not even a guest bed upon which to lie. I was born into material limitations so that even the least could know that the promise of hope is also theirs. My Father’s promise—sealed for eternity at the cross—is for everyone. Merry Christmas.
Amen and Ehmen! 