At the outset, God said to Adam and Eve, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.” Fill. Subdue. Rule. Increase.
Then, when Adam and Eve threw their lot in with the Deceiver, withdrawing their trust from the Creator, their efforts became harder. Fruitfulness would require more focus. More fight.
To the woman God said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” And to Adam, God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.”
To the woman God said, “I will make your pains in childbearing very severe; with painful labor you will give birth to children. Your desire will be for your husband, and he will rule over you.” And to Adam, God said, “Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life.”
Life don't come easy. We have always had to put our shoulder into it.
But more than just born to fight, WE WERE BORN TO WIN. God's intention for us has always been life, and life abundant. The apostle Paul, encourages us to go for the gold:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Cor 9:24-27)
God invites us each to fight a good fight. One of faith. One of overcoming doubt, lies and inertia. It's a fight that shapes us, the fighters, into kingdom creatures.
But more than just born to fight, WE WERE BORN TO WIN. God's intention for us has always been life, and life abundant. The apostle Paul, encourages us to go for the gold:
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." (I Cor 9:24-27)
God invites us each to fight a good fight. One of faith. One of overcoming doubt, lies and inertia. It's a fight that shapes us, the fighters, into kingdom creatures.
Do you need help with this? I know I do. Are you battle weary? Maybe you can't remember what the promise of abundant life sounds like or looks like. Maybe your sword needs sharpening. Maybe you need a shield. God has us covered. He who began a good work in us plans to finish it!
Come join us! As we gather for our October Bluewater Women's Breakfast this Saturday, October 13, 8:30-10:30, we'll be spending time with this important word: FIGHT. We'll get encouragement for our own battlegrounds. We'll seek the partnership of the One who says He will fight with us and for us in battle.
We'll be meeting at Clarissa Smith's condo community room at 1108 Auahi Street, Honolulu. This is a potluck breakfast gathering and we need RSVPs for the condo space. Please email bluewaterwomen@bluewatermission.org for more details!
Come join us! As we gather for our October Bluewater Women's Breakfast this Saturday, October 13, 8:30-10:30, we'll be spending time with this important word: FIGHT. We'll get encouragement for our own battlegrounds. We'll seek the partnership of the One who says He will fight with us and for us in battle.
We'll be meeting at Clarissa Smith's condo community room at 1108 Auahi Street, Honolulu. This is a potluck breakfast gathering and we need RSVPs for the condo space. Please email bluewaterwomen@bluewatermission.org for more details!