In the current sermon series on the Armor of God at our church, we have been learning about the tools that we, as Christ followers, are equipped with, and what we are supposed to do with them. We’ve learned about the Belt of Truth- the value of truth and how we can resist the devils schemes by knowing that he is wrong.  We’ve learned about the Breastplate of righteousness and to put on holiness so that our weak spots are covered, and the Sandals of Peace with which we can hold our ground- having peace regarding what Jesus has done, and striving to make peace around us.  We’ve learned about our Shield of Faith where when we can deflect the arrows that Satan throws at us, but also that when we stand together in our shell, the devil has an even greater chance of losing.  We learned about the Helmet of Salvation- how when we protect our mind, we know Whose we are, we can face tomorrow and our future knowing God’s got it.  And to learn and be reminded of what God has done and trust that He will always provide- how we know what he’s done, so we can trust what He’s doing, we have the Sword- the Word of God. At the end of each service, we have been singing this song,  You’ve Already Won, by Shane and Shane.

As I reflect on this song that is playing through my head constantly, I wonder what life would look like if we lived like we “know how the story ends”:

What would this look like?

We would get excited about Jesus’s Story and read It!

We would seek right living so that the devil can’t get a foothold.

We would recognize that we are not fighting each other but the evil one who seeks to destroy us.

We would not dread tomorrow, our jobs, school, housework, or any other task because they would have purpose.

We would not have anxiety about the future.

We would know for a fact Whose we are.

We would know where to look/go/eat/drink/read/binge when the storms of life are too much.

We would not be worried about how we look/sound when we are speaking the name of Jesus

We would have confidence that God’s plan is good, and seek to know how we can walk in it.

We would not have fear that we would die, because we know where we are going.

We would respect all life and live life to the fullest because life and death are not ours to determine.

We would love because we fully know the love He has for us.

We would not ever get “to much Jesus” and strive for more!

We would change our conversations from malicious gossip to speaking about what God is doing in our lives-to tell our story and share Him.

We would save marriages and protect families.

We would trust that what God is doing is good, even when it doesn’t feel like it.

We would live every day as if it was the day Jesus was coming again.

We would eagerly look forward to heaven and share it with everyone!

Not under our own strength, but overcome through God’s strength in us.

When I think about the battle that is going on for my heart and mind, the battle of life in grief and the doubt that comes with it, I am reminded through this song (written for the people of Ukraine) that it’s His Story and I do know how it ends!

There’s peace that outlasts darkness
Hope thats in the blood
There’s future grace thats mine today
That Jesus Christ has won
So I can face tomorrow
For tomorrow’s in Your hands
All I need you will provide
Just like you always have

I’m fighting a battle
That you’ve already won
No matter what comes my way
I will overcome
I don’t know what your doing
But I know what you’ve done
I’m fighting a battle that
You’ve already won

There’s mercy in the waiting
Mana for today
And when it’s gone I know you’re not
You are my hope and stay
When the sea is raging
Your Spirt is my help
He’ll fix my eyes on Jesus Christ
And I’ll say that is well
Oh I know that it is well

I know how the story ends
We will be with you again
You’re my Savior my defense
No More fear in life or death
I know how this story ends