A Life in Exile

In my effort to keep moving as a “mature” adult woman, I took the leap of learning to play pickleball. So, not only do I walk several times a week and take a weight class twice a week, but I now have one more avenue for physical exercise. It is easy, as we age, to resign ourselves to a slower pace or hours in a recliner. The more we give in to our perceived inabilities, the quicker lethargy takes over and muscles lose their mass and strength.

Spiritual lethargy

We can apply the same concepts to our spiritual lives as Christ-followers, and I’ve seen it happen, especially among older believers. We served, during our younger years, as Bible teachers, nursery workers, discipleship leaders, and mentors. As we age, we begin to slack off in service with the desire to let others step up to serve. We know that serving brings growth to our relationship with the Lord and understanding of His Word. We want to give others the chance to experience the joy of service.

But we also want a break. I’m being totally honest here. We can grow weary in “doing good,” and that’s understandable. We all need some downtime, a sabbatical, or time to regain some margin in life. Unfortunately, Satan can also use these good intentions to trap us in a state of resignation.

Charles Martin wrote in What If It’s True that “our enemy can take you and me from warrior to wuss through our agreement with resignation.”

My brother and I have both talked about this following the loss of our spouses. It’s easy to step back from service and then stay in the shadows. We never want to get stuck there, whether it’s because of grief or not, but that is exactly what Satan would love.

We’re in a fight

It’s important to remember that as long as we live on this side of eternity, we are in a spiritual battle.

For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ, being ready to punish every disobedience, when your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:3-6 ESV)

And because we are in a war, we must always be dressed in the appropriate gear for battle, no matter our age.

Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. (Ephesians 6:11-13)

Satan doesn’t want just part of our land—he wants all of it. He wants us to become useless to the army of God—lazy warriors, found AWOL just when we’re needed the most.

When we resign ourselves to being unable to carry on in the service of the Lord, we open a hole in the wall of the Body of Christ for Satan to come in and stir things up, cause chaos, or lead others down the same road of despair. There is a difference between laying down your life for Christ and, as Martin says, “being a resigned, passive doormat allowing people to walk over you because you’re a spiritual wuss.” When we allow our spiritual muscles to atrophy, our prayer life suffers, our confidence in God’s Word diminishes, and our support for younger believers dissipates.

A fighting force has many members

Just because a person ages in life doesn’t mean that service and support for the Body go away. There are many different roles within an army’s fighting force. Some are on the front line of the battle, others are loading the guns, while others are keeping the camp in order and preparing nourishing food. There are also those who care for the wounded while others serve in communication roles.

The same holds true in the Body of Christ. We don’t resign from service in the Army of God—the Church. Our roles may change over the years, but we must never give up in playing our part to serve, build up, disciple, pray for, or give to the spiritual health of the unit. Don’t let Satan convince you of uselessness. We’re all needed, from the youngest to the oldest—no resignations allowed!

Lord, guard our minds and hearts from the temptation of resignation in service to you and your Kingdom. Through your Spirit, keep us alert and active in this battle to your glory.

Grace and Peace

If you missed the last Wednesday Wisdom, click HERE, or check out these posts on spiritual growth and service: Lessons from the Ant, Skilled Workers, Engaged in Battle, We’re Fighting a Battle, Be Prepared, and Staying Battle Ready.