I’ll get real with you…all of you. It’s been a tough season. I’ve survived, and I’ve maintained a level head…at least externally, but it’s not been easy, and I’m going to share my struggle with you today.

I am a man under attack.

What do I mean by that? I mean that it feels like the enemy is working overtime to drag me down, working to entice me toward distraction and away from my walk with the Lord, working to tempt me back to my former addictions and lifestyle.

But isn’t that what the enemy does? Am I not being a little dramatic by saying that I, personally, am under attack? No.

Here’s the thing. I know what temptation feels like, and I know what distraction feels like. I know what it’s like to live a passive lifestyle that leads to spiritual ineptitude, which leads to sin and distraction. This is different…in substance and in applied force. It’s as if the gates of Hell have taken notice and are rising up.

It would be tempting to wander into “why me?” territory, pretending I don’t know, but I can’t…I won’t.

I know why I’m under attack. I’m a threat.

Now, please hear me. I know who I am. I am not, myself, a one-man army storming the gates of Hell and taking ground for the Kingdom, but you better believe I serve a God Who is just that, and Who intends to use me in mighty ways for His Kingdom and His glory. All I did was agree to be used, but I did, and now the more I follow that calling, the bigger a threat I become.

Inasmuch as it’s not me or my power, understand that I don’t say that proudly or boastfully. The truth is it’s terrifying at moments, but fulfilling in every moment.

This morning, I attended a men’s breakfast at our church. The speaker gave a message about abiding in Christ, what it means, how it looks, how you get there, and how little work of your own it actually requires. Our job is to abide in Christ. Everything else is an outgrowth of that abiding. He said to us, and it was so profound, that since applying the principles of abiding in Christ, “I have never worked less and accomplished more.”

So what now? Do I give in to the enemy’s attacks? Probably shouldn’t blog about it if I do, right?

Do I cry about my situation…take on a “woe is me” attitude? I won’t make you read that either. 🙂

No, I think it’s time to lean in, both into the abiding and into the fighting. The thing is, they’re not different. The fight is fought in the abiding. I don’t think I truly realized and understood that until today.

So if the fight is fought in the abiding, what does abiding look like? A practical list (borrowing liberally from my notes from today’s speaker):

1. Relationship with Jesus gets priority.
   • For me, that means the day doesn’t really start until after I’ve met with Jesus.
     • This will require that I make changes to my schedule.
   • Remove distractions
     • My phone can’t have my time until Jesus gets my time (YIKES).
   • Make preparation for priority
     • You don’t decide on Sunday morning that you’re going to church. You decide on Saturday night. You go to bed at a decent hour, have clothes ready, etc.
2. Make a priority out of obedience
   • Do what I know – obey where I’ve been disobeying
   • Do what I’m asked – obey the Holy Spirit
   • Understand that hesitation is a tool of the enemy
   • Understand that partial obedience isn’t obedience at all
     • Would partial faithfulness to your wife be faithfulness?
3. Prioritize surrender
   • Admit that I need Jesus
     • Not just to get to Heaven, but for every little thing, moment by moment
   • There will be divine appointments. Immediately obey the callings of the Holy Spirit in them.
   • Requires abandonment of self and total trust in the Jesus

So there it is. Time to lean in… In some ways, it feels like so much to do. In other ways, so much to learn. But the battles won’t be one in the striving, but in the abiding with Christ.

God, help me to truly draw close to You.
Jesus, I thank You for desiring my closeness.
Holy Spirit, please move in me. Replace any doubts or hesitations I have with Your truth and with a desire to do what You’d have for me to do.

Amen!