July 2007 | Posted in • God | (0) Comments |
This story, which was actually received as a vision, was related by Cathy Lechner, a guest speaker at an EFI women’s conference in the mid-1990’s. It is retold using the author’s own wording and comments.
The Vision
She had known the battle was coming, and was thoroughly prepared. So she thought. Intense interims of prayer brought forth a knowing, not a dreading, but a sure knowledge of the coming warfare. How would she fare? What would be the outcome? All she could do was trust the Shepherd. He never failed.
And so it came about that one dawn she found herself in a vast armory. Swords to the right, swords to the left, a seemingly endless array of grandeur in cutlery. Each one oiled, sheathed, and ready.
The Lord had led her here to choose a weapon. But such variety!
Curved blades, straight blades, colored scabbards, jeweled hilts, flared handles, every size and weight ..... her head spun. So she stepped back for a moment to peruse. That’s when she saw it.
Beautiful. Almost luminous, it seemed to glow with a light all its own, somehow flowing from within. Could a sword pulse with life? Scanning the rows of weapons, though placed in the middle, she sensed it stood apart.
Gems were so intricately set in the hilt that they were almost hidden, rendering it even more stunning with the marked absence of gaudiness. The blade, bold and true, slimmed to infinitesimally thin edges. The lightest touch would sever. Such craftsmanship, such power. Oh, such a weapon! Did she dare?
“This is the one I want, Lord!” He was there and nodded encouragement. Eagerly grasping the hilt, she began to withdraw the sword from its scabbard. Suddenly, pain shot through her hand! Instantly she cried out and released the heavy sword, as it slid back into its holder.
The edges of the handle were so sharp that they had cut her hand! Stunned, she clutched her bleeding palm and stared aghast at the Lord. What?!
Warm eyes met her gaze. Inside she knew, without Him uttering a word out loud, that this was the sword He had chosen for her.
“Lord, I can’t use this sword. It cuts my hand!” Unthinkable. I must have misunderstood. The Lord knows no one can fight with a sword like that!
And so up and down the rows she meticulously searched. Trying this blade, then that one, choosing carefully, for the battle still loomed, and the right weapon was critical. It must fit her perfectly.
Finally the choice was made, and it did fit her perfectly. Light, easily wielded, with a comfortable hold, balanced in her hand, the blade seemed designed specifically for her. Ah, such movement, such freedom it allowed. Surely the enemy would fall quickly before this sword! Armed with her choice, she emerged from the armory to confront the enemy. And the battle began.
For most of the day she stood her ground, and for most of the day she fought. Oh, how she fought! She lunged, feinted, swerved, lunged again; hour after hour she thrust over and over. But after all the effort, all her maneuvers, all the agonizing energy she had poured into the long battle, the enemy remained.
Now frantic and exhausted, she withdrew and fell on her knees before the Shepherd, crying desperately, “Lord, I have fought so hard, please tell me, how does the enemy remain?”
In the sun’s slanting rays, the Lord gently led her back into the armory and silently pointed to that sword. “Lord, you can’t be serious! I can’t use that sword; it cuts my flesh. I won’t be able to fight with it!”
Those warm eyes did not offer an explanation, only a promise ... His Presence. And the assurance of what He wanted her to do. Reluctantly releasing the sword she had chosen, she walked to the one the Shepherd still indicated ... and grasped it. It was just as sharp, and as her hand closed around the hilt, its edges slit the flesh of her palm once again. Struggling, she just managed to slip the heavy sword from its scabbard.
Wearily stumbling outside, she once again took her stand on the battlefield. Now as the daylight waned, using every particle of her remaining strength, fighting to maintain her hold even as blood slid down her arms and she shook with fatigue, she was just barely able to raise the sword ....... and the enemy took one look ......... and fled.
The Challenge
Are we ever insistent on fighting life’s battles OUR way? Will we take the challenge to submit to the Lord’s choice of weapons for us? How boldly do we declare, “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony ...” So true! But the verse continues, “and they loved not their own lives even unto death.” (Revelation 12:11)
Is it possible that we can become partial to certain Scriptures, perhaps ignoring others, maybe the ones that cut the flesh? God’s wisdom for living life is found in embracing the beautiful balance of the whole counsel of His Word. We must both “Submit yourselves to God” AND “Resist the devil” before “he will flee from you.” (James 4:7)
I challenge myself foremost, along with you - Let’s open our hearts and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal blind areas in which we have disregarded His wooing, perhaps unwittingly. We can be certain that discovering the results will be an adventure!
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