There’s so much I love about this post! Once I saw Bonhoeffer’s name, I knew some gold nuggets of wisdom were in store. Yet, toggling in the “forceful” diction of Matthew 11 solidified your message for me. A flashback to singing Onward Christian Soldiers in children’s choir emerged as my earliest connection to this concept. Pantomimes of infantry marching, calvary riding, and airplane arms entangled with my earliest questions: why is this a battle? why this analogy? It’s become quite obvious after 30 years in the faith. Thank you for the reminder and the call to action.
Thanks so much for your comment, Kim! I guess I've always been slow to assume the battle position myself--haha! It seems to invite violence. But I do so like the image of "training" and "preparedness." Either way, you can't be sloppy or lazy and be an effective soldier for Christ. Like it or not, we are in a war. "We won't drift into holiness" right? We must fight for and pursue it--the world certainly won't help us get there.
Thank you for reading and for your supportive feedback, Patty! A proper understanding of grace sure makes a difference in how we approach life, doesn’t it? Love you! ❤️🙏🏼
There’s so much I love about this post! Once I saw Bonhoeffer’s name, I knew some gold nuggets of wisdom were in store. Yet, toggling in the “forceful” diction of Matthew 11 solidified your message for me. A flashback to singing Onward Christian Soldiers in children’s choir emerged as my earliest connection to this concept. Pantomimes of infantry marching, calvary riding, and airplane arms entangled with my earliest questions: why is this a battle? why this analogy? It’s become quite obvious after 30 years in the faith. Thank you for the reminder and the call to action.
Thanks so much for your comment, Kim! I guess I've always been slow to assume the battle position myself--haha! It seems to invite violence. But I do so like the image of "training" and "preparedness." Either way, you can't be sloppy or lazy and be an effective soldier for Christ. Like it or not, we are in a war. "We won't drift into holiness" right? We must fight for and pursue it--the world certainly won't help us get there.
Exactly. It’s not a violent battle, but one that follows Jesus’s model.
Which does require intention and effort! Love it! Thanks for these new images, Kim 😃
Great post! Love how you call attention to how Grace can be so misunderstood, as well as the significance of our motivation for excellence.
Thank you for reading and for your supportive feedback, Patty! A proper understanding of grace sure makes a difference in how we approach life, doesn’t it? Love you! ❤️🙏🏼
Amen! 💝