Prodigal: Look at that sword!

Me: Yes, it is a nice one.

I really was not sure. I thought about going to the sun room, and reading. The room had plenty of windows, and was bright and sunny. It would make a relaxing place to sit and read. I thought about taking the dog for a walk and, I thought about just spending time on the phone.

For what ever reason, I did decide to stay. My family had decided to watch a show on television, that I had never seen. The show was on the Discovery channel. Tonight they were going to discuss swords. Information was given on different points about swords.

The beginning really did not capture my attention. I found myself distracted and moving around and missing parts of it. I really was not sure why, I continued to watch the show.

Toward the end of the show, they brought in an expert on how to handle swords. While the sword was out, various moves were discussed. He explained some very core truths you have to grasp in order to be effective with the sword.

They show the two men completing several exercises with the sword. The purpose of these exercises was so that you would become familiar with the sword. They were several movements and a lot of time was spent just learning these exercises over and over. This first truth was that you have to become familiar with the sword. A person should be able to understand how it feels, how much it weighs and the smallest detail about the sword.

The second truth was teaching how to cut with the sword. This exercise used a watermelon and they would practice cutting open the watermelon with one swing. He explained that even a dull blade could cut open a watermelon. This is because the sword already has what it takes to be an effective tool. The tough part is trying not to use our muscle in cutting open the watermelon. If we use our muscle then it will not be clean and may not cut the watermelon at all. All the power is in the sword.

Most people have to re train themselves when learning how to use a sword. They have to learn that it is not themselves that has to put the power in the sword. For most people this is really hard. It can take time to understand the complete power of the sword itself. Once you have mastered the ability to let go and completely allow the sword to do all the work, then you can see the power in the sword completely.

The power is all in the sword and we have to re train ourselves to understand it is not our power at all. In Ephesians 6 the bible explains our armor that we use in spirtual battle. The last piece of armor that is described is the sword of the spirit which is the word of God.

If we really want to use our sword effectively, we need to be familiar with the sword. If we really want to cut through the enemies lies, we need to realize the power in the sword. The power is in the word of God and not ourselves. The sword can complete the task. That means we do not have to have the most strength. We do not have to be a spiritual giant. We do not have to be afraid of an enemy that seems bigger than us. The power is in our sword and not us.

God cared enough about us that he made sure that the sword we carry is amazing. This sword is not small and easily broken. No this sword has the power to stop the enemy in anything that may come against us.

Today the enemy looks tricky. The enemy is taunting. The enemy seems not to stop. But the enemy doesnt have your sword.

Coming out swinging today and see how the sword will make them all fall.

Ephesians 6:19-20

Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Jennifer Van Allen

www.theprodigalpig.com

www.faithincounseling.org