"...we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies...but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world...mighty powers in this dark world...evil spirits in the heavenly places." Ephesians 6.Jamal from North Africa told us his story. You could tell he is a fighter. Just for fun his friends would wrestle on the beaches back home. He smiled with satisfaction as he described the fights he had won. No wonder Jamal is bored here! I have another friend like him from Palestine. He too is a survivor and drives taxi now. He defends his turf here in Canada. Several times when his fare didn't pay up, he took matters into his own hands. One time a brawl broke out with a drunken passenger. He pushed him into a snowbank, took the money from the guy's wallet, and called the police! These young men grew up in rough and tough situations. They're young and looking for excitement and an adrenalin rush.
In Pakistan we lived next to some of the fiercest fighters in the world--the Pashtun people. Guns are shot into the air when a son is born. They need the strength of men to survive. They've had to defend their turf numerous times. Alexander the Great, when confronted with Pashtun fighters observed that "My mother gave birth to only one Alexander but all the Pashtuns are Alexanders"!! They fought off super powers of the day including Britain and Russia. From Pakistan I remember buses passing through our village overloaded with 'Mujahedeen' fighters shouting slogans from on top of the bus "Down with the Kafirs(Russians), Allah Akhbar". Yet, beautifully woven into their culture is a deep sense of loyalty to their own but also a commitment to protect non-Pashtun friends like us in their midst. Great qualities.
My roots are the 'Mennonite' community. They prefer to be viewed as activists for 'peace' rather than simply 'pacifists'. They're often present where there is poverty or physical need. In a more quiet way, they encourage negotiation and seeking peaceful solutions. They would have been comfortable with Jesus in the garden after Peter pulled out his sword and slashed off a soldier's ear. Jesus said, "Put your sword away". See also "Should We Fight?"(Joy Loewen)
There are many causes worth fighting for. Our kids and grand-kids are living in a culture where Christian values and faith are assaulted. Joy and I are committed to fighting in prayer for them. Our grand-kids come face to face with issues we never dreamed of. The 'world' is trying to squeeze them into a mold and embrace values that ultimately are destructive for their spiritual well-being and for society.
We are also 'standing in the gap' for Muslims. They are the victims of a great deception and intense community pressure. Mohamed fought hard for monotheism and brought in a new world order by force. In the West the vast majority of the Muslims are peaceful but they need a Savior from sin. In their worldview God's judgement is based on scales. They hope that their good deeds will outweigh their bad deeds. Sadly, most will die without peace from knowing that they are made right with God through Jesus. This is worth fighting for on their behalf.Heavenly Father, thank-you for the privilege of partnering with you--battling for and spreading your Good News. Amen.
