Who’s Fighting Who?

T’was was the night before my happy birthday, when all through my heart,

Were visions of happiness and expectations all met.

My children would all run to me with affirmations of plenty,

And my wife would make out with me from dusk til we’re merry.

Yup, this past friday night, after I finished speaking and singing for a bunch of awesome worship leaders, I went to bed with great excitement for the next day. I decided to get up at 4am on my birthday and drive home so that I could be there for my son’s soccer game. Dad of the year medals were obviously made for men like me. I could just see the scene play out in my head:

“Dad, you really just got up at 4am and drove all the way home so that I would know that I was loved? And on your birthday? What? How can I count the ways...dad, thank you!”

Then all the other kids and Hilary would begin to shower me with letters, gifts, affirmations, and a no fighting truce that would save the day.

Well as you can imagine, my expectations were not only not met, but smashed at every turn. I even know better then to let this kind of stuff take me out, but as I was so focused on how terrible the day was going, I lost sight of struggling WITH Jesus. I forgot to co-parent WITH Him. I forgot to bring Jesus into my marriage, disappointments, frustrations, expectations, and troubles and this was the outcome.

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Ephesians 6:12

The quicker I become at remembering and living aware of this reality, the quicker I move towards peace. Jesus, open our eyes/hearts to see with a bigger view, the things that rattle us to our core. Help us see where the battle is really fought, and trust You in it.

 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have trouble. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Once again, practice this WITH us:)

10000 MINUTES Practice:

Ask Jesus to open your eyes to see where the true battle is being fought. When we get frustrated by people or circumstances, what if there is a battle for our souls going on? It’s really a war for our alignment. Who are we going to align WITH today? In this moment?

Align and Re-align WITH Jesus today