The Battle Plan

“We are not sent to do battle for God, but to be used by God in his battles.”

Oswald Chambers

Sometimes a simple sentence can hit you over the head like a ton of bricks. This one did for me. When we were sent to serve in the Dominican Republic, I thought I was sent by God to fight for justice. I thought I could battle to provide every child with a great education. I thought it was my job to work hard to provide what the people needed, to serve in creative ways and to strategize a more efficient plan of action. I thought God needed me to fight His battles.

Nope, not even close.

Yes, God did fill me with a passion to go and do and serve and fight for the children. But more importantly, He sent me to the Dominican Republic to “do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with my God.” (Micah 6:8). That really doesn’t even involve a lot of doing, much less fighting. In Luke 10, Jesus sent the 72 out as lambs among wolves. Lambs don’t fight. Far from it. But he did tell them to heal the sick and preach the gospel. And he gave them the authority and the power to do it so that all the glory would be given to God. The battle and the victory is HIS alone. I am merely available to be used however HE needs me. Sometimes I am more devoted to service than to Jesus Christ himself.   I am more concerned about creating the battle plan than being ready for the call. “Do justly, love mercy and walk humbly with my God.” My part in the battle is to ready my soul so I can be used to win the victory.

We have many faithful servants in the DR who quietly, without fanfare offer a meal, a drink of water, a smile or a hug. They talk about Jesus to the children. Most importantly, they offer their prayers. These are the weapons in God’s battle. As servants for Christ, we need to always remember:

He will fight for you, you need only to be still.

Exodus 14:14