So much transformation in the last few weeks, and yet the stagnation of our country and Church has not fully shifted. The people up and voted – thank you Jesus – but there is still a heart issue that needs to be addressed. The Church is still in the midst of crisis. There is still crippling division – a division that makes us “less than” the Bride we have been called to be.

We are called to be anchored, to be firmly established in Him, to have our feet planted on the ROCK. And yet, in the last two years, we have found a Church deeply divided, deeply fractured and broken, a Church deeply in need of an “identity fix.”

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How do we find our way out of the fog? How do we find our way back to the mountain that is Jesus? How do we find our way back to unity, that we might be a Bride ready?

Many of us find ourselves able to breath after a long season of holding our breath – hope is on the horizon. And yet our reality, the turmoil this nation is still entrenched in, hasn’t pivoted. Mandates and government overreach, corrupt school boards, the pro-life case ready to be addressed before the Supreme Court, the border crisis, the tragedy in Afghanistan…we need to navigate with our eyes wide open.

Our call has not changed – it is to be the “light of a city on a hill.” Passivity and eyes averted because we feel “relief” that our comfort may have a fighting chance of remaining – have no place in the life of a believer.

WE ARE HIS AMBASSADORS

We should expect trouble in this world. Take the opportunity of this season to “right” what needs realignment, to reorder where your life has gotten out of balance.

Please lay your comfort aside. Please lay your lukewarmness and passivity aside. Please pick back up your swords and armor and don’t lose sight that this will be a battle until the end days, a battle until our last breath. This is not to say that we are to play a game of defense – quite the contrary. We choose to engage because there is a war for souls – but we will engage because our eyes are affixed on the ONE, on the prize, on eternity…

We will fight for Truth. We will run for office. We will use our voices at school board meetings. We will make a stand when a mandate says our opinion doesn’t matter. We will say no when the world says we are foolish. We will say yes when someone else says it’s too hard. We will be a people quick to get on our knees – a people who know that THIS is the way the battle is won.

We will love on and pray for those who seem forever lost. We will pray for the prodigal, for the broken marriage, for the loved one lying on their death bed, and even for the politician who has said far too many words against those who have chosen to stand up.

We will choose to be a light, no matter how paralyzing the dark might seem. For the light has a way of PENETRATING what seems suffocating, what seems impassable.

TROUBLE

Instead of looking at the struggle of today, let’s look at the opportunity of today. How is the Lord training you, equipping you, refining you, shaping you?

Consider your own life. When and where were the areas of greatest growth? Where was your character refined and strengthened – in the moments of “hard,” of struggle, of pain, of battle…? Where was your faith for “impossible” sea partings developed – when you prayed steadfastly through the storm – knowing the God who is more than able can/will make a way?

Let’s look at the Word and see what HE has to say about the struggles of this life:

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding.] John 16:33 AMP

Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do… Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him. James 1:2-8, 12 NIV

Don’t you know? Haven’t you been listening? Yahweh is the one and only everlasting God, the Creator of all you can see and imagine! He never gets weary or worn out. His intelligence is unlimited;he is never puzzled over what to do! He empowers the feeble and infuses the powerless with increasing strength. Even young people faint and get exhausted; athletic ones may stumble and fall. But those who wait for Yahweh’s grace will experience divine strength. They will rise up on soaring wings and fly like eagles, run their race without growing weary, and walk through life without giving up. Is 40:28-31 TPT

Through Him we also have access by faith into this [remarkable state of] grace in which we [firmly and safely and securely] stand. Let us rejoice in our hope and the confident assurance of [experiencing and enjoying] the glory of [our great] God [the manifestation of His excellence and power]. And not only this, but [with joy] let us exult in our sufferings and rejoice in our hardships, knowing that hardship (distress, pressure, trouble) produces patient endurance; and endurance, proven character (spiritual maturity); and proven character, hope and confident assurance [of eternal salvation]. Such hope [in God’s promises] never disappoints us, because God’s love has been abundantly poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:2-5 AMP

PRESS IN

He came to give us life abundantly (Jn 10:10). His purposes and plans are for our good, not for our harm (Jer 29:11). He wastes nothing (1 Cor 15:58) and works all things for the good of those who love Him (Rom 8:28). His Word will not return void (Is 55:11)!

We can simply pray and look for the other side – or we can pray, believing that if we are praying according to God’s will, we will have that which we have asked for (1 Jn 5:14-15) – and then finding a way to be fully present in the now, knowing that our God can turn ALL things for His good and renown.

Let us seize and hold tightly the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is reliable and trustworthy and faithful [to His word]… Heb 10:23 AMP

Let’s determine to be a people firmly anchored, unshakable. Surround yourself with like-minded believers. Fix your mind and your emotions onto the ONE who can break every chain! As we gather in unified focus and heart, Abba will do His part to help prepare the Bride. Let’s yield fully to His purpose and His ways!

Trust in the Lord completely,
and do not rely on your own opinions.
With all your heart rely on him to guide you,
and he will lead you in every decision you make.
Become intimate with him in whatever you do,
and he will lead you wherever you go. Prv 3:5-6 TPT

Do you believe that we serve the God who is able? Where are you pressing into Him today? What are you believing for?

(Suni Piper is a writer and passionate intercessor for the nation and for the Church. She is determined and surrendered to be a voice of truth and encouragement to the Body of believers. Follow Suni at her website ASurrenderedLife.com.)