Equipped to Engage

Conflict. Not. A. Fan. I actually work very hard to avoid conflict whenever possible. And yet, somehow, I am never successful at avoiding every one. Conflict inevitably finds me. And I either respond in shock (I mean, I did everything I could to avoid this, how could it be happening?) or passive resistant acceptance (which is basically a lie that is a surrender to avoid further conflict).

As another teacher and a group of parents were praying for our students tonight, God gave me an “aha” moment. I started praying in my heart for us all to be equipped to engage conflicts that are ahead. We don’t need to seek out troubles necessarily - conflict will inevitably find us - but maybe energies might be better used in preparing to engage problems rather than trying to avoid them. Or, at the very least, also preparing while trying to prevent. (I believe wholeheartedly in preventative maintenance!)

Of course, that brought to mind Ephesians 6 and the armor of God as well as an illustration from a sermon I heard recently. The armor described in Ephesians 6 covers only the front - we are meant to go forward into battle with the Lord as our rear guard. If we’re running away, our backside is exposed! While it is just an illustration, and God always promises to be with us, the picture is pretty well drawn. He will give us the tools we need to fight the battles we face and win, and He goes with us. If we run away, we may be pushing the battle back to another time.

So the question today is: are you equipped and ready to engage in the battles of life? If not, what equipping do you need to help you engage?

Waiting, Hoping, Trusting

To access the reading plan I created on eBible, follow this link: Waiting, Hoping and Trusting

He Who Began A Good Work

I wanted to create a reading plan on an app called eBible. In order to do that, I had to create a ministry that needed a website or blog... so welcome to He Who Began A Good Work! I hope to post reflections and personal experiences to encourage you in your own journey with Jesus.

As an Ennegram 1, I have long felt a lack of completion and increasing self dissatisfaction as it relates to "rules." And, I might add, these rules aren't just one set of rules. I have collected them from the Bible, society, my family, my friend circles, my church life, sermons, wise council, etc. I have found that the slippery nature of perfection (and rules, for that matter) is that the definition changes from person to person - and, I could even argue, is redefined as a person ages. I do believe this is part of the reason Jesus narrowed down all the laws to these two: love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and love your neighbor as yourself (Mark 12:30-31). So the ultimate perfection comes from following the laws of Godly, agape love.

While I have learned to understand and genuinely offer grace to others, I have often had a hard time extending it to myself. Philippians 1:6 reminds me that I don't have to have all the "rules" figured out. God began a good work in me when He called me to be His child and I responded. He promises to complete this work.

So I am still learning that I can stop striving to become something that I don't fully understand. Though I am not a passive spectator in the process but an active participant, I can wait on the Lord. He will work out the kinks, build up His love inside me and encourage me along the way.