We are at War

² Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters whenever you face trials of many kinds, ³ because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. ⁴ Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -James 1:2-5

This passage of scripture would summarize our experience over the last couple months at Grace Children’s Home.  Aren’t you glad that promise is not conditional on our performance or intelligence?  It’s only dependent on our posture and our call out to God for help.  Over the last several months we Hanson’s have experienced some of our greatest staffing and health challenges ever since coming to Mexico.  At the same time, God comes through with just enough grace, healing and encouragement to keep us going.  This season has been difficult for our whole family to say the least.  An old pastor friend (Frank Gobel) called us this last weekend to encourage us and pray for us.  He said that he was sure our struggle was a spiritual battle.

What do you think you would see if God parted the veil and instantly revealed a view into the unseen spiritual world?  Would you see a bunch of fat babies with smiles and wings sitting on puffy clouds six feet off the ground playing harps?  If you don’t know, I’ll tell you now; that is NOT what you would see. 

I’ve often wished I was a better artist.  I have had a picture in my mind for a long time of what my best angel friend would look like.  He would be about seven and a half feet tall and as wide as a truck.  He would have a 150 pound double edged sword drawn, with his hands ready on the hilt and the point in the earth.  His helmet would be dented and slightly deformed from the many blows he’s resisted.  He would be bowed on one knee before Jesus with a broken nose and a grave scared face staring intently at Jesus waiting for his next mission.  He would be bruised, battered and bleeding.  He would be a warrior who fights every day.

I think any view into that world that we cannot see, yet experience every day would reveal many things to us.  We would then have an accurate understanding of the spiritual battle that is currently taking place for the souls of mankind and the war against God’s plan and his saints.  This glimpse would be life altering.  Motivating.  If you have ever stretched out in faith in your mission to fulfill God’s plan, then you know what I’m saying is real.

I love the fact that the war is already won with Jesus sacrifice and resurrection, and all we are doing now is battling it out for God’s chosen survivors.  However, make no mistake, our enemy and his minions are fierce, fighting to their deaths, because they know that they have nothing more to lose.  For them, all is already lost.  All they are doing now, is trying to gain more souls to share their misery for eternity.  That is the dismal reality.

We are so grateful to those who remember to pray with us as we fight together against evil strongholds in the lives of our children and families.  Thank you for praying against complacency and apathy for your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.  Continue to pray for those you know, who are in the midst of “trials of many kinds”.  Prayer is our most powerful offensive weapon, because it is not only us doing the work.  When we pray, God moves.  We don’t always know how or why He chooses to do what He does; but He only moves and always moves in ways to advance His kingdom by saving the souls of men.

Thank you for your prayers, and may God richly bless you.

The Hanson Family