This picture shows the lake at Brockholes nature reserve. (www.brockholes.com) The sun was getting late in the day and it was reflecting in the lake, it shimmered and there was an array of colours in the water compared to the sharp bright sun in the clouds.

Luke 21:25-28

25 ‘There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. 26 People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken. 27 At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.28 When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.’

Very often I do not focus on the bigger picture. The fact that there is a heavenly war going on all around us. When we are focussed in this world, at least this is how I feel it happens, you are drawn into being led easily by the Prince of Persia, by the evil forces at work. Today I felt a little stressed, but I feel the whole reason was I forgot completely about God and focussed on this world.

What does Jesus tell us to do. He says “Stand up and lift your heads!”. At other times He tells us to “be of good cheers”. Having optimism is really important with our faith, having hope, because we are only seeing half the picture. We see the reflection, a distorted view of what is happening, but in reality there are fights and battles and wars going on all the time in heaven and on earth.

We must be hopeful. After all Jesus has already won the war through His self sacrifice on the cross. He doesn’t need to go through that agony again, once and for many. We just need to gather in all these skirmishes and small battles through remaining strong in prayer and in work. So let us be hopeful and stand up to the evil in this world, and lift our heads and be proud of our King and God Jesus the Christ.

Dear Jesus, lead us not into temptation and keep us from sin through your redeeming salvation. Give us courage to stand up for you.

Amen