Principalities
Early morning walks with a friend, both trying to shape our
bodies into something resembling younger years, and the earth is still, quiet
and dark. The light from the reflective moon is wavering through clouds as the
sun sits still waiting on rotating earth to beckon her brilliance and we begin
the few moments where trees watch from either side of the road. We get our
breath ready for the first of many interval running minutes and I notice the
white tails of rabbit’s, gone mad, racing in crazed direction, in front of us.
They have no destination, just scared purpose as they go from one side of the
tree forest to another. I feel the hair stand on my arms, as eerie awareness of
someone watching descends and fear begins to replace running anticipation. I
slowly unplug the deafening sounds of Toby Mac from my ears and listen for what
has the rabbits scurry, and, I hear it. At first the sound is terrifying and I
realize with slow smile forming why the rabbits fear. The echo of Owls sing
chorus between the trees, speaking in tones I do not understand but comprehend.
The enemy on the principality of these woods is the Owl. High in the Pine tree
watching the scurry and preparing for dusty morning light feast before daylight
sleep. As we exit the trees my friend turns and says, go, focus renewed, we jog,
woods forgotten, lesson forming.
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against
spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:12
As Followers of Christ, we sometimes need a reminder that we
walk on the Principality of the Enemy. That morning was mine. It also served as
a reminder of the God I serve. Though I walk through the valley of darkness, He
is forever with me. Guarded by His angels, I have nothing to fear. This world
has taught us to look for someone to blame or something to blame when the
storms of life come. We want our enemy to be flesh and blood, when the bible
clearly reminds us that it is not flesh and blood we wrestle against, but
against all of the things we believe to only be fairy tale. Is it, so much easier
to tune into television and believe in a mystical world created by writers than
the very rulers of darkness our God tells of?
As we are just travelers on this earth, don’t let the enemy
hold you down with fear. He is chained to this world, but we are not. Though he
is the Prince of this principality, God is King and he rules over everything. Christ dying on the cross, and your acceptance of that sacrifice mean you
cannot be plucked from His hands. He is your protector against the darkness.
When the storms strike against you, don’t scurry like the crazed rabbits above,
searching for a hiding place. Our hiding place is in Christ and His protection
is forever. Call his name, the enemy will flee, it is the promise of God.
Father, my God, my Protector, my Savior, my friend, how I thank
you for eyes that see beauty in the gift of this world. I pray father that strength
comes with the enemy strikes fear. I thank you for angels that encompass and
protect. Amen.
