I’m grateful for a God who is mighty and worthy to be praised.
I have been spending a lot of time in thought, lately, contemplating my image of God. As I have been reflecting on this, I have also been talking with others about what their view of God is. More precisely, I have wanted to know what images they meditate on when they picture their Heavenly Father. The vision seems to be different for everyone. For some, a loving father with arms spread wide is what most easily comes to mind. For others, the image is one of a leader guiding a crowd with gentleness and authority. There are those, too, who picture God as a teacher before a class. For many, I think it can be a combination of these ideas. God is, after all, too all-encompassing to be limited to the simple confines of our minds. Still, I have an image of my own. When I get quiet before God, a scene begins to take shape…
A forest grows up about me. The trees are tall- so tall they block out most of the sun- but the light that finds its way to the forest floor is filtered through the fog that drapes itself upon the branches. It is mostly quiet, although I notice a bird singing from the boughs above and I can hear dew lightly dripping from the foliage. The ground is soft, damp and coated with leaves. There is a figure standing still amongst the trees. Many of the details of the figure remain vague, but it is undoubtedly a stoic, masculine being that demands attention and respect. His presence is inviting in a gentle and strong way all at once. He stands tall and wears a cloak about His shoulders and a crown upon His head. His hands are folded atop a sword that is thrust into the earth, and He is smiling softly at someone kneeling before Him. I am that someone in the damp dirt at His feet. I have a garland of dried flowers around my head and, although the hem is stained with dirt, I am in gown of all white. My black combat boots are tightly laced, and at my hip I, too, have a sword. I have one hand upon its’ hilt and one upon my knee as I bow before my King. My body and my heart have assumed a posture of reverence. I am eager. I am empowered. I am strong. And I am only one among many. There is an army rising around us. I hear a battle cry. If there is movement, I do not notice it, but my heart is beating so loudly it must be apparent. I raise my eyes to meet His face as He extends a calloused hand to help me up. He looks at me gently, then, and simply says, “The time is now.”
While I may not be on a literal battlefield, I have no doubt a war rages around me. When I get caught up in the things of this world; when I am consumed by worry or fear. When I am tired, full of doubt, and worn down by the heaviness of it all, this image that I carry in my heart and in my soul reminds me of who I am. I am a child of God. He equips me with all I need to fight the battle that bellows within me and clashes around me. He may not always deliver me from my conflicts the way I want or the way I expect, but He always prepares me for the purpose He has in store. Sometimes I am required to pick up my sword and my shield to protect myself and those around me from unseen attacks, and sometimes the weapons at my disposal are more subtle. Sometimes what is required is for me to fall to my knees in prayer, open my ears to hear, or pick up my pen and write. Sometimes I am required to speak up and sometimes I am required to stay quiet, but I always know where my help comes from. My help comes from the Lord. He is my guide. He is my savior. He is my leader. He is my hope. He is my salvation. He is my King.
And I am His warrior.
“I’m calling the angels down.
I’m storming the gates of hell
Tell the devil he don’t own my soul
I’m taking back what the enemy stole.”
“I’m raising the battle cry
I’m holding the banner high
With the power of the holy ghost
I’m taking back what the enemy stole.”
Take It All Back
Song by Davies, Tauren Wells, and We the Kingdom
