I ARISE TODAY THROUGH A MIGHTY STRENGTH

“I arise today through a mighty strength…” (from St. Patrick’s Breastplate Prayer). Have you ever had a season of life where it seems like every day requires the strength of God to get through? Where it becomes evident on a daily basis that my own strength, my own understanding, is insufficient to overcome the obstacles before me. In the changing times swirling around me, I have had to be intentional about approaching God and praising Him. I have had to function so far outside of my comfort zone; I can’t even see it from here. The whole concept of a comfort zone is a vague and distant memory. Experience tells me this place of discomfort is where God does His most dramatic transformational work. My flesh tells me how uncomfortable the process is and craves an easier answer. Fortunately, or unfortunately, some of the challenges are so complex; I know I cannot think my way through to a solution. I cannot rely on my own understanding. Instead, I have to keep my eyes on the face of my partner, God, and dance with Him over the very dangerous knives below our feet. If I look down, the fear will cause a misstep, which I cannot afford. My only solution is to keep my eyes firmly focused on the face of my Savior and trust Him to lead me through the treacherous territory.

I remember Joshua and Caleb who, while seeing the Giants, focused on the promise. I pray God helps me see through the supernatural eyes of faith while, at the same time, increasing my faith. I know many a saint has passed through these kinds of precarious circumstances to reach through to a richer, fuller life – Esther, Elijah, Paul, Mary, Deborah, Joshua, Caleb, and Ruth to name a few. I also realize St. Patrick wrote his prayer specifically to deal with seasons of life where we need to be reminded there is more going on than our daily experience. There is a much bigger story going on, spiritual forces at work on our behalf. There are also opposing forces of darkness fighting to get us to question the heart of our God. We must remember in the tight places to keep our eyes on God and be aware that we arise today …”through God’s strength to pilot me: God’s might to uphold me…God’s hand to guard me…God’s shield to protect me…So that there may come to me abundance of reward” (from St. Patrick’s Breastplate prayer). Remember there is a battle for a victory. So keep your eyes on the prize and continue to search for the fulfillment of God’s promise. Onward Christian soldiers! Let’s fight well the battle before us so we may see God glorified.