Battle Call

I consider myself a fairly free thinker and I usually say what is on my mind depending on the situation. I think of some of the craziest scenarios in my head and think of what I would do in certain situations. For example, I found myself thinking about being in a scenario where there was a national emergency (plane hijacking, shooter, bomber, etc.) whatever the case may be and what would I do if I had the chance to give my life to protect others. As I played a particular possibility in my head I knew exactly what I would do in defense of my family and the good of my country. I know that given the right circumstances I would give myself up for those around me, not because I would be considered hero but because I have a deep care for others and I want others to have a good life. I have had to drop my pursuit of relationships, friendships, or sharing of the Gospel for the simple fact that I needed to do it for the other person. I have stated before that some people are only apart of your life for a short amount of time but their impact can be significant and there are others who are there by your side for the purpose of helping you along. I started listening to a song yesterday and the lyrics state, "This is a battle call, gather soldiers, time to go to war. This is a battle song, brothers and sisters, time to go to war." The lyrics resonated with me in that as a Christian, my battle call has been sounded. I have been asked to go and fight for the lives of those around me, to give up my life for the cause of Christ that I might lead others to do the same. I have been truly blessed to live the life I have lived so far and I would not trade it for anything. It is time to go to war and to fight for something that is truly worth living for.

One Bible story that comes to mind when I think about answering the call is David. He was just a shepherd who had no significance to anyone other than his father and his brother in that he was able to tend to the flock while they were away doing other business. When David showed up to bring food to his brothers, he found a more significant purpose. Day by day went by and none of the other soldiers in the Israelite army would stand up to Goliath because he was a formidable opponent. Not only was he tall but he was very powerful. I imagine him being able to basically knock guys out with one punch and his reach would be so long that it would take a long distance weapon to take him down. David saw the opportunity to step up and save his people and his family from being taken captive by the Philistines. Even when no one else believed in him, David knew that he had to answer the call. What is so surprising is that the call did not even come from his own camp, it came from across the field where Goliath would stand every morning and mocked the Israelites and challenged anyone to come and face him. When I think of a battle call, I think of our own people sounding the alarm that it is time to fight but this time was different. The enemy was practically begging for someone to come out because he thought that he would slaughter anyone who would come against him, Goliath should have just walked away but he was arrogant and wanted to pick a fight. Just about everyone knows the story, David convinced the Israelites to allow him to go forward and he used a sling and a rock to take down Goliath. Not only did David answer the call but he won the war because he stood up for what he loved and he had faith that is rarely seen. I feel that we are called out on a daily basis by the devil and his demons to face the world because they think they can get the best of us. Whether it be by causing us to sin or discouraging us in our pursuit of sharing the Gospel, the devil wants us to battle him because he thinks he can win. Unfortunately for him, we have the same opportunity to win like David did because God is still on our side! We have nothing to fear because our God is with us no matter what the circumstances are and he will aide us in our endeavor to complete is work. So I encourage you to answer the battle call and do not allow yourself to be bullied by the enemy!

Thank you all for reading, I truly believe this is a blessing to some people and for those who have commented, thank you! Please continue to pray for me as I am heading back to the midwest in a few days and I have a long road ahead of me!

God Bless,

Joseph Robinson