You Are With Me In The Battle

Author: Jacob Tynes
Editor: Danielle Milliken
Scripture: Ezekiel 34:12
Song: Don't You Give Up On Me

Most people that I know love the sunshine. I know that when I wake up, and the sun is shining bright, the C3 staff will just have a different level of energy. Pastor Konan and Danielle Milliken especially thrive when the sun is out, showing off its optimism.

For me, clouds, darkness, rain, and storms...that's my vibe. That sounds depressing to others, but I love it. I always have. Why? For me, some of my greatest memories spent with family indoors was when the weather was bad. That's when the board games came out and competition began. My board game of choice is Sequence. If you have not experienced this game, that is your action step today (not kidding). This type of weather is perfect for a movie night in, or even better, one of those afternoon naps that you wake up hours later and find yourself potentially drowning in a pool of drool. You know what I'm talking about. Too far? Sorry about that.

This type of weather also forces me to slow down and reminds me to reflect. Unfortunately, many times throughout my life, clouds also represented failure, pain, hurt, and sometimes hopelessness. What I had to learn is that clouds, darkness, rain, and storms are necessary for growth, and they remind me to celebrate - to learn how to dance in the rain.

My darkest moments are an invitation to grow closer to Jesus.

Ezekiel 34:12 “As a shepherd looks for his scattered sheep when he is among the flock, so I will look for My flock. I will rescue them from all the places to which they were scattered on a day of clouds and darkness.”

The clouds and darkness do not limit God's reach. Now, this type of weather is a reminder not only of my need for a savior, but the reality that I have a savior that pursues me, and will never leave me.

Next time we have a "bad weather day", look outside your window with a different perspective. Celebrate that you made it to that day. For me, when I'm fighting these "bad weather thoughts", I say to God, "You are with me in the battle."  

Just like the scars on His hands were one of the signs of Jesus' triumph over death, may the clouds and darkness be a sign of your strength found in Jesus. He is with you in the battle, in the darkest of days.

I will end with the lyrics of this weeks song: "Open your heart. Open your hands. Open Your Eyelids. I've got more dreams. I've got more plans. I've got more blessings. Don't lose your hope. Don't lose your faith. That's where your fight is. I got more dreams. I got more plans. I got more blessings."