Victorious Living
by Cathy Bryant, (c) 2008
I prayed as he stepped into the batter’s box. “Please, Lord, just this once, let him at least hit the ball.” All season long, he’d been in a slump, not even able to make contact.
WHACK! The sound of the bat as it connected with the ball let me know it was a good solid hit. He ran the bases with all the energy and speed he could muster–first base, second base–come on, Josh, you can do it–rounding third base on his way home, the cheers coming from the bleachers blending in with my own cries of jubilation.
I ran to the dugout, and he met me there, his eyes shining, his face glowing, a smile that could light the entire East Coast. His next at bat he pounded the ball into the outfield, and we met again in the dugout. This time we were both crying and laughing at the same time.
So what if it was only T-ball? It was a victorious moment, and one I’ll never be able to forget. (Sorry, Josh, it’s a mom thing.)
Did you know that’s how God wants us to live? Not just some of the time, but all the time? As Christians, the victory has already been won for us.
As pilgrims in this foreign world that is not our home, it’s so easy to be defeated and to walk around with burdens and downcast faces. We’re all prone to it. But when we allow that to happen, we’re giving the world a negative impression of what it means to be a Christian.
“With God we will gain the victory, and He will trample down our enemies.” (Psalm 60:12, NIV)
If we give in to defeat, Satan wins. In order to keep that from happening, we need to first of all remember who the enemy is. His name is Satan, and he’s a liar and a thief (John 8:44; 10:10). We may want to label our circumstances or other people as the enemy, but you can be sure that Satan is at the bottom of it.
Next we need to realize that God has already won the victory (I Cor. 15:57). We need to be convinced Christ has completed the work that leads to victory.
The other thing we need to do is recognize that as believers we belong to God. He’s already accomplished what we couldn’t do by reconciling us to Himself through the blood of Jesus, making us co-heirs with Christ!
I don’t know where you are in your spiritual journey. You may just be stepping up to the plate. You may have already made contact. You may be rounding the bases even now. No matter where you are, remember the victory that is ours in Christ. Every step we take leads us closer to home!
Dear Lord and Savior,
Thank You for being the Author and Finisher of our faith. Thanks for being our Champion, our Victor, for securing for us the kind of life we could never secure on our own. Make us aware of the devices of the enemy of our souls. Thank You for the promise in Your Word that says if we resist him, he will turn tail and run. We’re so grateful we belong to You. Just knowing we’re Your children brings such peace and joy.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
BIO:
A Texas gal since birth, Cathy lives in a century-old farmhouse with her husband and a phobia-ridden cat. Her debut novel, TEXAS ROADS, was a 2009 ACFW Genesis finalist and tells the story of a disillusioned widow’s quest to find home. The book is available through Amazon.com. For more information, visit www.CatBryant.com.
