More than 30,000 residents of the state of Colorado have been displaced from their homes. As I type, our own neighborhood is on pre-evacuation notice. And what does this mean? It means everything can change in the twinkling of an eye.

I woke up this morning frustrated. In the grand scheme of things, we could be in a much worse situation, but I’m still frustrated. Since we are prepared to evacuate, my house is torn apart again. The front living room floor is scattered with the worldly possessions we hope to save should we be forced from our home. On one hand, everything in that room seems so ridiculously insignificant, while on the other hand, anxiety wells up over leaving things behind (like my deceased son’s trunk, my living children’s art work, and even the files I’ve spent hours prepping this summer for our upcoming school year). In my frustration, I lost sight of God’s many blessings. I began to mentally rant (and a little verbally to the Husband when he mentioned the Supreme Court ruling) about everything that is wrong with our life, this country, and the world. Well, the fact of the matter is, we live in a fallen world and sometimes it truly feels pointless to fight against it.

After being caught up in the traffic, ash, and smoke on Tuesday when the fire took a really bad turn, I had no desire to go too far from home. So, pondering these things, I poured some cereal in a bowl and retreated to my office, where an email from my Grandfather waited. He has a blog called, Common Sense Commentary and his post for today was, No Finish Line. He states, “There is no finish line in this conflict [against evil] and ‘no discharge in this war‘.” There will be obstacles as long as we draw breath. We will grow weary but we must count on the promised harvest. “Papa Blair” included a poem that I hope you’ll click on over to his post to read. For now, I’ll add my own poem written during basic training many years ago:

No Rest

From Alpha to Omega, the Beginning to the End,

Fighting for our freedom, praying we would win.

Through trial and tribulation, holding our heads high,

Marching on to victory, marking time with life.

Standing proud and tall, Parade and “dress-right-dress”.

Wondering if we will pass, this long challenging test.

Determined and devoted to the cause for which we salute.

Grasping onto honor, pride, our God and the Truth.

Separate but united, for one common goal,

To see the light at the end, of a tunnel dark as coal.

Now standing front and center, preparing to move on,

We ponder on these weeks, and the battle we have won.

“Flight Halt” is the command, that we all may hear.

But there is no rest for us, so we press on and show no fear.
~ J. Blair Lane,  April 1994

 

If there is “no discharge in this war” and “no rest for us”, how do we press on? How do we keep fighting? I’ll leave you with these passages:

“The LORD is my strength and my defense; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him.” ~ Exodus 15:2

 

“The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights…”  ~ Habakkuk 3:19a

 

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” ~ Ephesians 6:10-17

 

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” ~ Matthew 11:28

 

“Be still and rest in the Lord; wait for Him and patiently lean yourself upon Him; fret not yourself because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked devices to pass.” ~ Psalm 37:7 (AB)