Nothing’s changed… from 5/30/2015
“Safe.”There are some people who actually consider me “safe”. They call to ask me questions that they might be reluctant to ask others….because they know I care. Because they know I won’t laugh or dismiss their inquiry. Because they believe that I have enough experience with the matters that concern them that my thoughts on such matters are deemed trustworthy. It is humbling to be sought out for counsel….even when I’m not their counselor, but simply a friend. And they know that I don’t have all the answers, but I am willing to join them in seeking the answers. They know, too, that the first place we’ll go in pursuit of answers is to the Word of God.
There are also those who have said that I am always armed for a battle, in fact- looking for one- even accused me of having a “victim” mindset, defensive and argumentative, even aggressive. I am not particularly keen on battles. They take a lot of time and energy and divert me from the greater work that God has called me to do. But I am not afraid of one, either. What I do know is that the enemy of friends of God is a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. I prefer not to be devoured nor to have those in my care or among my loved ones devoured either. I don’t have a slingshot, 5 smooth stones and experience in wilderness survival. Nor am I a battle plan strategist and leader of thousands. I’m one person trying to be faithful to do what God’s called me to do and inviting others to come along, if he’s called them, too. And if we run into a battle, I’ll take point. Because I know the One who goes before us will make a way through it. Here’s hoping you know the One who goes before you and equips you for whatever battle you must face!
My Daddy was, for a few years while in the army, a combat arms instructor to cadets at West Point. Given that family history, conversation about equipping for spiritual battle is ironic and amusing I guess I’m sort of a combat arms instructor in a different realm!