What are we seeking to win?

For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. (Ephesians 6:12-13 NLT)

A German soldier by the name of Erin Rommel is quoted as saying, "Don't fight a battle if you don't gain anything by winning." There are a whole lot of battle lines being drawn in the sand these days - but I am afraid some just don't warrant our time or attention! I honestly have had to ask why some of these marches, protests, media campaigns, and rather large crowds of disagreeable people are doing what they are doing. I don't even know if some of these individuals in the crowd know what it is they are doing. Some may actually just be following along because they heard just enough to peak their interest, but neglected to really understand the battle being fought. If we are going to go to battle, we must know the real enemy - the specific purpose and intent of the battle - and the battleground we are about to launch our attack upon!

The biggest part of battle isn't the actual fighting - it is the preparation. British soldier Bernard Law Montgomery said it well: "Every soldier must know, before he goes into battle, how the little battle he is to fight fits into the larger picture, and how the success of his fighting will influence the battle as a whole." The warfare of a lifetime isn't always won on the "biggest" battlefields, but in the smaller battles of each man or woman's will, spirit, and desire. The "will" to win isn't the only necessary weapon in our arsenal in this battle we wage today. Why not? The battle isn't just political, physical or emotional. It is spiritual! All of life's most significant battles are won more in the realm of the spirit than in any other venue. Therefore, spiritual preparation is one of our most powerful weapons!

If we truthfully understood the spiritual forces waging war in our communities today, we'd do less protesting and more praying. We'd kneel more and throw fewer punches. We'd stand alongside each other in unity and oppose every force that sought to divide - for our strength comes not in just standing strong, but by standing united in warfare. We'd draw a few less lines in the sand and stand firmly at the foot of the cross - the real place the line was drawn in the first place! I think we'd take less "sides" and realize there is a place where all are truly made equal - at the judgment seat of God. We'd respect God's justice more and work to counter all that stands in the way of anything that opposes his truth. Maybe we'd realize the importance of the small part we play in this bigger battle - not because our "punches" alone will make much difference, but because our "prayers" together will drive back the most formidable enemy of all times - Satan himself. Just sayin!