23 Sep 2010

The super weapon

Grace finds beauty in ugly things

I have been reflecting a bit on spiritual battles and how real they are in the past few days.

In my quiet times I have a book of daily readings by Philip Yancey which I find very helpful. In today’s entry he points out:

“Elton Trueblood notes that the image Jesus used to describe the church’s destiny – “the gates of hell will not prevail against it” – is a metaphor of offense, not defense. Christians are storming the gates, and they will prevail. No matter how it looks at any given point in history, the gates guarding the powers of evil will not withstand an assault by grace.”

Yancey goes on to describe how some of the most powerful political forces in the 20th century were toppled by grace.

When we are hurt or fearful, it is so tempting to want to fight back the way the world does – with power. A fight where we grasp for power never ends well, but a fight where we grab for grace can change the world.

I was challenged by my bible reading for this morning:

Go out into the world uncorrupted, a breath of fresh air in this squalid and polluted society. Provide people with a glimpse of good living and of the living God. Carry the light-giving Message into the night… (Phil 2:14-16 MSG)

What a beautiful and challenging command! We don’t change the world by the worlds rules.

I have had a Foo Fighters song running around in my head:

Times Like These (One-Way Motorway):
I am a one way motorway
I’m the one that drives away
then follows you back home
I am a street light shining
I’m a wild light blinding bright
burning off alone

it’s times like these you learn to live again
it’s times like these you give and give again
it’s times like these you learn to love again
it’s times like these time and time again

I am a new day rising
I’m a brand new sky to hang
the stars upon tonight
I am a little divided
do I stay or run away
and leave it all behind?

it’s times like these you learn to live again
it’s times like these you give and give again
it’s times like these you learn to love again
it’s times like these time and time again

I am discovering that finding grace in the midst of the battle is a little like learning to live, give and love again.

Grace is the ultimate weapon in any spiritual battle, and all battles are ultimately spiritual.

Tags: brand new sky , breath of fresh air , elton trueblood , Faith , Foo Fighters , gates of hell , give , Grace , live , living god , love , philip yancey , polluted society , quiet times , spiritual battle , spiritual battles , ugly things

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Grace finds beauty in ugly things

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