Standing

Sometimes, we are pushed to the limit and then God steps in. We, as Christians, are called to stand, even when the opposition and circumstances seem severe. I like to plan ahead and see what can be done in a given situation but God requires me to stand so that I can learn to trust God in it.

I seem to lurch from one crisis to another but in them, even though they are uncomfortable, there are plenty of things to learn.

This week our church is involved in a week of prayer and various prayer initiatives have taken place which has been so helpful. One of them was a 24/7 prayer day when we could sign up for 1 hour slots throughout the day/night to spend with our God. It has been an awesome time and in it, I can see God urging me (and us) to keep humbling ourselves before Him as the truth is, said Jesus, “apart from Me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). Just seeing a physical cross and having the opportunity to kneel before it is amazing in itself. It puts me in my place.

However, as we abide in God (John 15 again) we are still encouraged to stand as we are in a warfare with spiritual forces of darkness and we don’t need to battle, as Jesus has already done this and won when He died on a cross over two thousand years ago. Ephesians 6 gives us the equipment to put on in order to stand our ground and then as we are mindful of these things and apply them when necessary, then can stand against any opposition that comes.

In Messy Church one week, we made a soldier with all the weapons that we can use in our Christian life. It was so graphic to me that it is hanging up in one of our bedrooms! Children need to be aware that we do have an unseen enemy that causes the awful things that happen in our world. They need to know that having Jesus in their lives provides a security and protection for them. We hear a lot about the mental health of children these days. I am convinced that as we show our children the love of God and the provision he has made to be able to make a stand for right living and true words, then our children will grow up as healthy adults in every way.

‘The Creation Series’ seeks to set in place the foundations for a child’s life so that they can be aware of the God who made and loves them. Then, when they need to be standing up for truth and honesty, they can know that God is with them to give them the way through anything.