This world feels strange to me. It’s not my home. I feel unwanted. Almost an intruder. I have a deep ache for more…So much more than this life has to offer. 

To feel unwelcome here is NOT a tragedy. The life we’re living right now isn’t truly living. The body we’re in isn’t really us. We are mere shadows weaving in and out of a temporal, run-down shack. 

I long for the day when I will truly be home. Fully alive in a reality that we simply cannot begin to grasp. But for now, I am running a race. I’m in the midst of a brutal battle. I’m in a fight not only for my body, soul and spirit, but also for my children’s. And their children. And others around me. So are you.

My heart has been troubled as I realize I haven’t recognized the magnitude of this battle in my own life and in my family’s. Many times I’ve simply been content to pray and watch things unfold. But, sadly, I haven’t felt the urgency as I should’ve to fully engage in the fight. I’m fairly certain I’m not the only one.

Being a believer doesn’t mean we don’t have a voice, even though there are times God asks us to remain silent. Being a “stranger and foreigner” doesn’t mean we’re not to be active, just not to be content.  

The Enemy has wreaked havoc not only in personal lives, but also within our families, churches and nation. Christians are called to not only prevent the “opposing team” from scoring a point, but to take back possession. I believe it is time for many of us to step up.

What heroic man or woman in scripture do you see who “played it safe?” Were any of the individuals listed in the “faith chapter” not going against the current norm? Why did Rahab break the law and hide the spies? The disciples were killed for continuing to share Jesus. Churches in China are being persecuted for continuing to gather. Why do we applaud or pray for them if they are going against the government? Would there ever be persecution if we simply obeyed every time? 

Staying “under the radar” is often the result of fear-filled, lukewarm complacency. God is looking for men and women on fire! For those who don’t allow fear (faith in the enemy) to control them. Individuals who are willing to be called radicals as portrayed in Hebrews 11. 

Let’s read just a few of these verses…

“By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt; for he looked to the reward. By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible…By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace… And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.”  

Now go back and take a look at all these action words. Refused. Chose. Forsook. Endured. Subdued. Worked righteousness. Quenched violence. Escaped. Became valiant. Fought. Christians need to actively be involved in the spiritual fight. Being a believer involves action.

I am not talking about trying to defend our “rights.” Because that’s not what Christians are called to do. But I am talking about responsibility. Churches and pastors have a God-given responsibility to care for and tend to their “flock” in the same way parents have a responsibility to care for their children. As believers, both our homes and our churches should have Jesus Christ as our Head and Chief Shepherd. (Just as children are commanded to obey their parents “in the Lord,” the same holds true for each of us regarding our church and governmental authorities.)

Parents have a God-give responsibility to care for their children. This may even include not giving them vaccines the government deems essential or mandatory. But we should be able to respect and uphold many other government laws that don’t violate God’s greater plan for our lives. It should never be about our American rights…but about our responsibilities.

As an individual, I am often times asked to lay down my rights. God calls me to serve others, and He even asks me to “turn the other cheek.”  

But God has never asked me to lay down and quit fighting for who and what I am responsible for. There is a big difference. 

Jesus was brought “as a sheep to the slaughter” and chose not to open His mouth when He was before Herod. However, this was in response to accusations and mistreatment of Himself.

In the same way, I can choose to accept a slap from an individual, but something is wrong if I stand by and watch my young girls receive this same mistreatment. Why? Because I have the God-given responsibility to protect and care for them. The same is true of pastors. Of course, a pastor should, at times, be willing to lay down his personal rights, but never his responsibilities. 

As believers, each of us have Christ as our ultimate head. It doesn’t matter if we are a church or an individual. Jesus Christ needs to be our Head. Our desire should always be to please Him as our final authority.

Are we allowing God to transform us into bold, radical and God-fearing individuals. Where’s the fire? The boldness and passion for what is right? Where is our faith that overcomes all fears? 

When the laws are immoral, sinfulness consists of supporting the powers that created those laws.

We have personally been interacting with individuals during this time who have become suicidal because of this isolation. Our churches need to be actively involved with these hurting individuals. Especially during a world crisis. It is essential. I’m sorry but Zoom meetings are simply not meeting these needs. 

The solely opposing force Satan has to worry about can only come from God’s children. 

Christians are the ones God uses to thwart Satan’s agenda. Can I say that a bit louder? The only way evil is stopped is through BELIEVERS. This is exactly why he wants us to believe we need to remain silent. 

Do you think men and women like Daniel, Esther, Rahab, Shadrach, Meshack and Obendego spent lots of time interceding on their knees? Yes. Did they also take action? Yes.

Each of us need to be willing to lay down our personal “rights,” yet many of us confuse “rights” with responsibilities. God may ask ME to “go an extra mile” for someone, but God will never ask me to lay down my responsibilities in caring for those under my care.  

Fear can be a squirming little bandit. It seeks to bury itself and appear harmless. Many of us aren’t being honest with ourselves. You may not actually be fearful of contracting a virus, but the viral fear of man may be preventing your obedience to Christ. 

Are you basing your decisions and choices by what others are doing around you? Is fear hindering you from taking an active role that God is calling you to do?

He has asked me to end well. To stay active and involved. Fully engaging with the responsibility God has given. The battle is not over. We are not yet home. 

But, oh the joy we will experience once we get there. I greatly long to hear, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter now into your eternal joy.” 

~Cindy (For The Mullett Family)