Just as people do not enter a war in order to enjoy war, but in order to be saved from war, so we do not enter this world in order to enjoy this world, but in order to be saved from it. People go to war for the sake of something greater than war. So we also enter this temporal life for the sake of something greater: for eternal life. And as soldiers think with joy about returning home, so also Christians constantly remember the end of their lives and their return to their heavenly fatherland.
~St. Nicholas of Serbia, Thoughts on Good and Evil
Boost Post
The end of all things is at hand; therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To Him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
~ Peter, the rock, in 1 Peter 4
Oh beloved, it is true.
We will often be faced with a full frontal assault, if we are attempting to move towards the truth. For, once we have set our eyes on His Eyes, the very forces of hell will now be doing everything within their quite formidable power to distract our gaze.
Sometimes, it works.
As blow upon blow from the liars bangs down on our armor, it does not injure us. We stand quite well. But then, the imps take another tact. They taunt. And for those who have even the least bit of spiritual discernment, the calling is dry and bitter and foul.
But, the foulest part of it all, is the underlying temptation that says: “If you take off the armor and taste some of your own comfort, we will leave you alone.” Of course the liar will only lie – this is the only true thing about him. But, we will sometimes listen.
But often, the more beat up we have been; the less we trust our own ears and flesh, the more we realize that the fight we are entering into in the moment is actually a prelude to victory. The taunts of the evil one do indeed invite us to lose, but the voice of our inner man tell us that overcoming is just around the corner.
Can we see it?
Most often, those of us who have lost so many battles are now ready to win. And, we are ready to help others win as well. So, we will often be cast into situations where someone is just about to break through – like we were brought through by another agent of His Spirit in the past.
This fool of a writer, has been the friend of one such as this. She is on a journey that began well before i met her. And, over the decades, this beloved woman has been hammered and piled on by fourteen demons who represented a panoply of lies and dis-ease in her life.
The battle has been hot and heavy. But this beloved woman has continued to lean into reality. She has fought through the lies, cast off the bitterness, abandoned the hate, forgiven her abusers, and chosen joy in His Presence.
It is has been nearly decimating to even watch. Layers of obfuscatory garbage, and circumstance seriously tempted her to believe that she was unlovable, unable to be victorious, and doomed to feeling ill, being angry, and having no energy.
But, three nights ago, I watched the final demon get booted off her beautiful soul – and after a screaming match against this thing as it tried to hang on via a foothold of bitterness, this woman weepingly said enough was enough. The final imp had no more license to abide amongst eternal royalty and had to leave.
It was beautiful. Another princess laid hands on her, and speaking in a heavenly language, released a moment of healing and power that actually rocked the body of this woman and sent a jolt up my own arm as i witnessed the prayer by laying on of hands.
And so, I watched another delightful child of The King, break through into experiencing the eternal life that we are already in. Wonderful!
So, are you in a battle? Good!!! Looks like victory is right around the corner. Stand in His strength. The air is clear in forever. You will break through too.
In the eternal, everything matters. And anything that does not matter is exceedingly uninteresting.
~ Makala Barnabas Doulos
