Entrenched

I have been being lovingly corrected by God this morning. He is always so gentle, and his correction never feels like punishment. It is more like He reminds me who I am, who He is, and steers me back in the right direction.

I left my post yesterday. I allowed fear and anger to come in and threaten to replace the love, grace and peace that God has worked out in me over the past almost 30 years. And because I was in a place of fear, I shared something on Facebook that I shouldn't have...because it wasn't for me to post. I don't even know who edited the video, or what their agenda is. Because, let's face it, everything that we view on TV or other online sources are not simply "facts"...they are all presented by flawed  human beings who have their own fears and angry places...some that have evolved into hatred. These videos or articles are supposed to convince us of a certain view or stance or "side" in this war we have been dropped into.
But I'm not talking about the war between religious zealots and the rest of us. I am talking about the battle called "life"...this battlefield where we live in the trenches every day of our lives.

My biggest battle is to continue to allow God to speak through me, and use me, as he designed. And I know my place in this battle. My post, the character of God that I have been given to share with others and to re-present is His love, grace, and goodness. That is my message. The Bible talks about how we are "living epistles" or letters...love letters to God and about God. So when I get caught up in anything fearful, or propaganda-ish, or hateful...well, I have strayed from my original God-design. I don't ever want to be "entrenched" in those things.

I have received His gentle correction. If you find that you have strayed...it is easy to get back on track. 
I am going to spend even more time in the presence of love, and allow the One who holds it all to remind me that He's got this. I am committed to staying in touch with the life-giving Spirit who speaks of grace and love and goodness and kindness and faithfulness and joy. I am going to be less about "world news" and more about the Good News. Because the battlefield is right here, every day. And we battle not against flesh and blood. Remember? Know your place, fellow warriors. Stay there. Don't stray from your post, as I did mine.

We are all called into this battle...the battle of life! We each have a place in the trenches. But remember how we fight. Don't allow fear or hatred to rear their ugly heads. Let's get back on our knees...keeping our heads down so we don't get them blown off. There is safety in this place.

Now let the Commander of the army come...

And it came to pass, when Joshua was by Jericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked, and behold, a Man stood opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Joshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?”
So He said, “No, but as Commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.”