The Great Battle

​I sat surrounded in a pew

Yet I felt lonely

A church full of people

Yet who else was with me?


I closed my eyes to pray,

"Jesus, who else is fighting?

Who else is seeking YOUR heart?

Who else is sharing the Gospel?"


My mind went to the Great Battle

I stand in white

I draw out my sword

And I run to the front line


I think back to old me

At one point I wouldn't fight

I used to be a spectator

I was a commentator on the spectacle


Then I became aware

I knew I needed to be in

I was called to the field

But I was terrified of the wounds


But that’s not me now

Now I know where to draw strength

The more I swing my sword

The more I learn what I'm doing


So here I am on the front lines

I look to either side of me

I see so few others fighting

So I look behind...


And there is the army

Slinging their stones from a safe distance

Holding their shields and spears

They are protecting something that I can't quite see


As I pull a soul to safety

Some of those stones are hitting the enemy

They make their own difference in combat

AND they are hitting me too


In a moment of reprieve

I am extremely aware of the vastness

Our enemy is big

So crafty and cruel


I see those closest to me take big hits

Some of those never allow the physician

To even look at their wounds

And they never return to the frontline


"Jesus!" I cry as I run toward the foe

"Where are reinforcements?

If we only had more help

This would feel so lonely.


"There must be more!

I see a big contingent over there

Strengthen them, Jesus!

Oh yes! I see so many fighting over there!"


I look behind me

Falsely assuming that other are seeing

I look back at the troops closest to me

My heart drops...


There is the army,

A huge mass of warriors

Sitting

Swords on the ground


I can see their strength!

It's the same strength that I have!

But they stare ahead at me

As if unaware of the battle that is raging


All I can do weep

How can they not know?

I run back to them

I will tell them


"The war is at a critical stage!

There are people trapped over on the other side

I can show you how to fight

Who is with me?!"


Some start to pick up their swords

But then sit back down

Some have lengthy discussions about battle plans

But they never move


Throughout the battle

I keep going back

Encouraging and showing truth

But very few come with me


Just when I thought I couldn't go on

When I was weary beyond measure

When my body couldn't take it anymore

The Commander in Chief called me home


I open my tear-filled eyes

The people in the pew

Haven't changed at all

I still feel so lonely


"There is one more battle"

He reminds me

"You only know this stage of the fighting.

Let me show you The End."


And there we were!

We running to the enemy

No hesitation

No fear


At first I didn't see very many

But as we ran more

The more I saw

And the more excited I became!


There was my ailing friend

Who couldn't do much on earth

Riddled head to toe with issues

But he was unstoppable and fierce on this field!


There was the mom I heard about!

She fought cancer

She also fought to share the gospel

And she looked radiant and brave!


I was surrounded by warriors!

Strong, bold, courageous

I look behind me

My heart lept within me...


Because THERE was the army!

No one sat

No one held shields

Everyone was aware of what was ahead


And there was Jesus

Faithful and True!

He was on His horse

That King of Kings and Lord of Lords!!


Jesus spoke to me

Sitting in my pew

With no one else aware

Of our conversation


"Take courage, dear one.

The struggle is severe.

You are in a war zone.

But the Battle IS already won!


"You are not alone.

You are surrounded

Warriors may be sleeping

But they are there.


"Keep fighting

Care for souls others discard

Share with the intimidating

Stand on truth.


"People fought before you,

And people will fight after you,

But someone needs to fight now

And I called you for this time.


So, fellow warrior,

I call you to the front line with me

There is nothing to fear

When you know you win in the end

About Leah

​Leah works with Master Plan Ministries at Fort Lewis College in Durango, CO. Other than watching college students' lives change, she enjoys getting her mind blown by God and His Word, watching sci fi, baking cupcakes, and spending time with her hunky husband. 


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