Every now and again, as I am out running, a thought will pop into my head that is replayed throughout the day. Today's thought was, "
A warrior without a battle to fight has no purpose." I think we can agree that unless a warrior is preparing for, engaging in, or recovering from a battle, said warrior really has no function. What good is it to be armed and ready if there is no need to engage one's weapons and defenses? It would be much like
Don Quixote and his fearless fight against windmills. Even if he saw them as giants, everyone else simply saw him as insane.
We, each and every single one of us, were created for a specific purpose at a specific time in history. Each one of us, in one form or fashion, is called to be a warrior. Go to battle for your beliefs, for your friend, for the orphaned and widowed, for the oppressed. We fight to bring about good, and we fight to turn dreams into reality. We are created to be warriors, fearless and ready.
What is it then that causes one to storm the castle while another sits idly by? Why is one person armed and ready while another hardly notices there is a battle cry going out? Is it belief? Conviction? Passion? Confidence? I wish I knew the answer to that question, but I do not. I do not know why there are some in this world, given every opportunity will simply walk away, unwilling to fight for themselves, their beliefs and the opportunities that lie before them. The battle can be hard, and it can be long, and many will quit just a moment too soon.
For those individuals who will stay in the fight, who will dare to continue marching forward in spite of the obstacles and opposition, life becomes more vibrant. They know their purpose because they know who they are: a warrior. These people who will prepare, engage, and learn from every twist and turn this life offers will become victorious. The true warrior will take hold of an opportunity and do whatever is required to be successful, to reach every goal that has been set. This warrior will listen to the ones who fought before him,to those who have walked off the battlefield with their heads held high. Others will follow because of the confidence and purpose this warrior takes in every stride. And even when negativity creeps into camp, they will continue on. For they know well enough to leave windmills alone.
Yet I wonder if many of us have become so comfortable and complacent that we rarely feel a call to battle let alone know where our armor is. We have become so content in our independent worlds, complete with luxuries like three square meals, a bed and clothes, that we no long see a need to fight, to press on. We have become, in essence, stuck.
I for one no longer care to remain where I have been, as I have been. I have opportunities ahead of me, all of which I intend to firmly grasp and fight for. I will go to battle to ensure others will have these same opportunities, to be healthy, to rise above the status quo, and to attain more than they thought possible. I will leave the windmills to Don Quixote because I have a family worth going to battle for and because I believe it is possible.
Ephesians 6:10-18
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.