Almost as instantly as my oldest son turned 3, an uninvited guest turned up in our home. My boy’s toddler voice whispered a new word — one of the kind we mommies don’t teach — “monster,” and he hugged me tight to hide from it.
I think of this now, as the world shudders and aches for those fallen at the choking grip of evil.
“Monsters aren’t real” I’ve repeated to innocent ears, then I watch headlines that remind me I’m lying. Monsters are as real as sirens and bloodshed and tears that make our helplessness fight the urge to run fast toward hopelessness. And I bow my head, and when I am still, i choose to run the other way — toward hope. Toward victory. Toward the peace on earth the season is already asking for, now begging for.
And it’s as if heaven comes down to say —
But the monsters DON’T win.
They do not, my little giant slayers. I can testify to that promise myself.
They growl and they confuse and kill, steal and destroy, but they will not win.
“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.” 1 Corinthians 16:13
And while the world watches the TV news, I watch the little world in our living room run wild with energy, passion and hope. And i pray silently and again out loud – be courageous. Be strong.
I hear my voice speak those words, and I am ready for battle.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Ephesians 6:12
Is it possible to look at this world and miss it? Will we neglect to admit there are monsters walking around as the war between good and evil, between God and the destroyer, between surrender and self, sets up attacks that we can no longer ignore.
I pray for protection, I pray for our Prince of Peace, our only hope of a Home beyond this one and means to find joy where we dwell, my Jesus, to rescue and reveal Himself as the light that breaks the darkness, even when the darkness fires bullets that blast our days apart.
And I will promise my children that their Father will always be with them. I will promise that He will watch over them and seal us up with security – as His amazing grace taught my heart to fear and In His grace, my fears relieved.
His bloodshed paid it all. The perfect sacrifice of the Holy God come down to us. For us, for relationship, for relief from a world bent toward brokenness.
And as we pray for our home this night, we’ll pray for those homes hurting all over this broken world, asking for help from the only One who gives it. Help us, Heavenly Father. By the Power of your Spirit that sustains us even when the monsters do roar. You teach us that sovereign has a meaning, and it belongs to You. You roar louder.
And we will go to bed strong and courageous and NOT AFRAID.
In the name of my Jesus who crushed the snake at Calvary, we pray.
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