Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and it’s overcast and there wasn’t much color to cling to at sunrise on the outside. As I sat in silence and I considered what the Master has for me on this new day, my attention went to this simple plant. While the birds and the squirrels are outside fighting to find their food, this plant will be nourished inside by me. Fighting for good things…righteous things…is always a GOOD thing. But when it comes to those things of God; so many people are unwilling to “fight” and they’re content to hide the “color” of their Faith inside and away from the world just like this poinsettia plant. Is that the way you see your life too?

It’s so easy to sit back in life and wait for somebody else to do something; especially when it comes to those things of the Faith. Just like this poinsettia plant, our Faith can be bold and beautiful when we’re inside in the warmth of our home; but it’s an entirely different story when we’re out in the world. There’s a battle going on in the world and it’s a battle that threatens all people of Faith. It’s not a time for wussies and it’s not a time to refuse to do Battle. Some people have been convinced that people of Faith are to be seen and not heard; but that’s sure not according to God. Some believe that we’re to live in peace no matter what and they refuse to take a stand even when comes down to defending those things of our Faith. But that’s not according to God either. Some people believe that we are prize-worthy if we just turn the other cheek and ignore the offense against us. But that advice was given by Christ in reference to how we are to forgive and NOT how we are to Live.

It’s bizarre how willing people are to stand up and be heard when it comes to defending one of their own. When a child is bullied in school, and he or she is mocked over and over again by their peers, moms and dads fight like Pit-bulls to defend their child. When innocent animals are needlessly harmed, plenty of people will stand-up and be heard about the injustices. Some people are willing to do jail time as they fight for environmental things that threaten our planet; while there are other groups that keep the fight going as they demand to be seen and heard and accepted for who and what they are no matter what. When people are passionate about what they’re “fighting” for; they’ll defend it to anybody, anyplace and any time…no matter what. It’s passion that drives the human heart and passion that gives us the strength and the stay-power. But when it comes to things of the Faith; most people remain silent and they cower down under the threat of “political correctness”. They hide the “color” of their Faith away from the world and they have been convinced that this is what God wants. The REAL problem is that they lack passion for the Living God, and because they lack passion; they refuse to speak-up or to proudly stand-up for all that He is…our only Hope…our Savior…our Redeemer. These people live out their Faith just like that poinsettia plant…bold and beautiful but hidden away from anything and everything outside of the home. How can God be honored in silence?

I’m always ready to do battle because I know who my enemy REALLY is, and I’m confident that I have what it takes to be Victorious every single time. I know that I infuriate my enemy… but that’s okay because He doesn’t scare me at all. I don’t need to insult people or to do them harm as I do battle. I just need to lean on the One who Protects me and I need to be willing to walk the walk AND talk the talk for my God. I don’t need to preach and I’m not called to judge, BUT I am Commanded to be be courageous and passionate and willing to Serve. ALL people of Faith have been Commanded to tell the world about our Amazing God of Hope and Redemption no matter what kind of adversity we face because of it. How is that possible if we remain silent and hidden away from the world? Nobody ever won a battle by doing nothing! I’m doing battle for my Faith today and every day, and I “take one for the Team” more often that most people can imagine.

How about you?