Battle Afoot

“For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12, NKJV.

We were planning a Christmas celebration for the neighborhood kids and their families.  We’d show a movie about the birth of Christ, give gifts, play games and their parents would eat for free. 

With the mention of the games and gifts, children began pouring out of the ramshackle homes lining the muddy streets.  Soon there were more than 15 children hopping up and down shouting, “invite me, invite me, invite me!” 

As this was developing, my eye caught sight of a sour-looking man in his late twenties who was standing off to the side with his arms folded across his chest.  He did not appear pleased with my mention of a Christmas celebration and his cold stare underlined his defensive posture. 

Suddenly the little boy at his side, about six years old, joined the other children in their chorus of “invite me.” He had a big smile and excited twinkle in his eye.  I thought, “That boy is a ray of sunshine.”  With my attention on the boy, I didn’t see the sour man approaching until he grabbed the boy’s arm and smacked him in the back of the head.

“We are Muslim,” he hissed. “You will not go to any Christian activity. Go home!”  My heart tore as I saw that precious little smile turn into an expression of hurt and embarrassment.  Was this moment going to be his first impression and memory of Christianity?  Was he forever going to associate his father’s disapproval and his public reprimand of him with our Savior?

The little boy, fighting back tears, yanked his arm free from the man’s grasp and strode determinedly in the direction of his home. The man, whom I presume was his father, brushed past me without a word. In an instant the mood had changed, and I had a better sense as to the spiritual battle that was afoot.

*Excerpt from the newsletter of a Last Frontier Missionary serving in the Pacific Rim.

Pray that:

God will reveal himself to the father who opposed the Gospel and to his son who was wounded by his anger against God.

Gospel media like videos and audio recordings will allow many unreached peoples to hear and see the truth in the Pacific Rim.

Believers seeking to reach the unreached peoples will daily put on their spiritual armor for the battle that is afoot for the souls of people.

Pacific Rim is a region of the International Mission Board, SBC.