Fighting

What are we willing to fight for?
Who are we willing to fight for?

Ideals, morals, dreams, family, friends, strangers?
 Many different things affect us in a multifaceted way.

We as humans fight for things we see value in. animal rights, open space, abortion, family, education. Then... why is it so hard to fight for people -- relationships? I see marriages dying all around me, and friends who aren't willing to have that hard conversation because they may hurt the other person. My sister, LeAnna, said to me many times as I was younger, "When you walk away, you're telling me I'm not worth it." And now, I've been known to say that to my friends because of how much I agree with her.. years later, when my sister and I talk, it's more common to hear: "just say it and we can deal with the aftermath later." I know that she's willing to stick it. Does God know that I'm willing to stick it? Can I legitimately say: Ok, Lord, tell me, and we can deal with the aftermath later. It's hard to admit it but... Sometimes I'm not ok with saying that to the King of Kings because I'm scared of what I will hear from Him in response.

Be zealous for God. A zealot is a rebel,,,
Rebel for God. ...Rebel means fight.
Fight for God. Why?
Why should I fight for someone unless I know what I'm fighting for? Who are they? What do they stand for? Think about it.
Would you fight for me? How do you know me? Do you know me? Maybe you've met me once or twice; maybe you've read my blog entrees; maybe you're family reading this and have known me for years; or just maybe I'm talking to myself. Yet... the question still stands: how do you know me? Or better yet: Do you know me enough to fight for me?

I guess if I was to sum this all up I would come out with this: 

Think about what and who you're willing to fight for.
Will you fight for God?
Do you actually know God?
When people say things to you, are you willing to stick it out and have that conversation?
Give grace. To you and others.

It's messy, but there are my evening thoughts.

Ebeneezer

Basically... We all need reminders...
and re-reminders.

I looked through some of my old posts today and my heart needed to hear many of the same lessons I experienced so long ago. This started me thinking....  In the song, Come Thou Fount, The second verse says "Here I lay my Ebeneezer, hither to Thy help I've come." The Ebeneezer comes from First Samuel 7:12. where the prophet, Samuel, sets up a stone in remembrance of what God did for the Israelites. They needed a constant reminder of who God is and all that He has done for them. The point being: we are a forgetful people.

 I can't count how many times I cry out to God because I'm confused about my life only to have quietly and lovingly, yet sometimes firmly, tell me everything will work out.. That He's got it. The simple act of trust is a constant lesson in my life -- no matter how much I try. One thing has changed though: I have made an Ebeneezer. One small stone that I keep to remind myself of all that God has done. Kind of like the "wall of remembrance" from the movie War Room  which Clara made... Only mine is a rock.. And an oddly shaped one at that.

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebeneezer, saying, 

'Thus far the LORD has helped us.' 

- 1 Samuel 7:12

Paradigm Shift