Many times, we’re clear on the vision and work God has called us to do. We’re committed to building our wall. But often the thief of goodness frustrates our plans, and we start to wonder if we will ever get our work done. There are many seasons in which we must continue building with our sword in hand.
Generally, we like dealing with one thing at a time. And even when we must fight on multiple fronts or engage in multiple building projects at the same time, it’s still easier when we’re either fighting or building.
But life doesn’t always come in such neat packaging. And often we must be prepared to fight even as we’re trying to accomplish the work God has given us to do.
For instance, not everyone is happy about our marital union. As such, even as we’re trying to build our connection with each other and navigate all the normal challenges of marital life, we must also be ready to actively resist the evil set against us.
Likewise, the goodness and life God has called us to bring into the world will likely be opposed as well. Of course, there’s no expectation our work will be a cakewalk, and much will be required of us to build and have the impact God has placed in our hearts. And we must also regularly contend with those dark forces that seek to hold us back and diminish our light in the world.
Whatever it looks like, we don’t want to get so lost in the fighting that we’re not also building. Nor do we want to get so focused on the building that we drop our guard and don’t protect ourselves from the ever-present dangers nearby.
In the end, whether in your relationships or at work, throughout your communities or at home, you must often build the good with your sword in hand – ready to fight and protect even as you cultivate and grow.
