Dear sisters,
So yesterday was Easter. And I was thinking about it while I had my morning devos... I thought about the great lengths Jesus went through to gain victory. He struggled through every battle I would ever fight, carried every sin I would ever commit against Him and fought every single obstacle and power of darkness that would ever come against me. And not just me. But every single life that had ever and would ever come to be- whether they would except it or not. He went through this in 4 days (died on one, in the grave for three). And he won complete victory. Done. Everything is settled as far as God is concerned.
As I thought of this, I began to think about my battles. The big ones I am fighting right now, the ongoing ones that I slip in and out of, the small things that continually get the better of me... and it occurred to me, as I thought of a particular battle in my heart:
He has already fought this battle. Jesus fought this very fight that I am fighting right now. And He won.
He stands in victory right now and I have access to that victory. Somehow, some way, I can access total victory over every battle. I can simply walk over the enemy by no strength of my own and nothing that I have accomplished, because Jesus crushed his head. That is the story of easter.
Okay. How come I am not walking in complete victory over every battle in my life? Why do I still have issues. Why am I not perfectly happy?
Well, for one thing, Jesus didn't die so we could have perfect, safe, comfortable lives and never be in need of anything. He created us to NEED Him. He promised us lives of sacrifice, denying ourselves, suffering and persecution. These things refine us, sift our hearts and make us hungry for Him. He leads us through the wilderness (problems, sickness, poverty, betrayals, confusion...fill in the blank) so that we will come out leaning on Him. (Song of Solomon 8:5)
But what about sin, bondage, depression, lies from the pit of hell... What about cutting, eating disorders, self-abuse, self-hatred... what about all these things that trap so many of my generation (not excluding myself). Jesus bought us freedom from these battles by the very blood of torture and death. It is our inheritance to walk completely free. It's what happens when we get saved, it's what we preach, it's Christianity 101, right?
I can't say that I walk in that complete freedom. I daresay, most of us can't. But I know we can.
I don't have the answers. But I am determined to pray this one out. I want access to the victory that Jesus stands in. I want it for every one of you.
Happy Easter. I'm praying for you.
Keep on runnin' (Hebrews 12:1)
Leah
