Good morning, world. Things are looking pretty good from the front porch of my farm in Virginia today. It’s cold and rainy this morning, and there was no color to cling to at sunrise, so I spent my time inside looking out. As I considered what the Master has in store 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 the hand of man. Fighting for good things… righteous things… is AWAYS 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 Journey of Faith, too?

It’s so easy to sit back 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 surely not according to God. Some believe that we are to live in peace no matter what, and they refuse to take a stand even when it 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, 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. For instance, when a child is bullied in school, moms and dads fight like pit bulls to defend them. When innocent animals are needlessly harmed, plenty of people will stand up and speak about the injustices. Many people fight for those animals much more than they would ever fight for a human being. 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 the passion that drives the human heart and the passion that gives us strength and staying power. But when it comes to things of Faith, most people remain silent, and they cower down under the threat of persecution or political backlash. 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 stand up for all that He is…our only Hope…our Savior…our Redeemer. These people live out their Faith just like the 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 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 courageous and passionate, and willing to Serve. ALL people of Faith have been Commanded to tell the world about Jesus Christ…the 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 than most people can imagine.

How about you?