Unseen

I’ve been reminded on multiple fronts lately of one thing.

Our battle is not against flesh and blood.

Your battles.

My battles.

The world’s battles.

The REAL fight is happening in places unseen to our human eyes. The REAL fight sounds like a storybook because it’s a battle between good and evil.

^“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

(Eph 6:12)

As we prepare to move our family overseas in about 5 weeks (oh my), you may think that what we have seen in the international news in the past few weeks may make us reconsider. And yes, at times it is tempting to shy away, of course. We are human and staying in ‘safe’ America (not true, if you read local news, actually) seems like the easier way.  But Christ did not teach us to run away during persecution and hardship, did He? He taught us to love. To engage. To trust Him. In some ways, it makes our decision a heavier one, yes. But we have chosen not to change course.

I’ve been reminded lately that we are to live by FAITH and not by SIGHT.

That’s what it’s about.

Now don’t be confused… we are not reckless. We are not stupid. We ask God again and again to watch over our children. We pray. We use wisdom and discernment. We do have fear as any parents would, but we push back against it and it’s lies. I want to model to my children a life that follows God in a radical way. Not one that centers around a life of safety and comfort. And it’s impossible to model that if we don’t actually live it ourselves. And for our family, it seems the time is now.

Maybe we won’t last long overseas, I really don’t know. We hope for longevity, but we’ve never done this with this many kids before. We are giving it our all because the reality of this life on earth is that it’s over in the blink of an eye. It’s just so short. Hardships may come our way. Some already have. God has walked us through them with so much grace. I want to keep my eyes on the things that matter.

May my life be carefully fashioned around You, Jesus. For You, with You, and towards You. May I live by faith and not by sight.