Launch is ending. We leave for the airport at 2:30 AM ET…less than 2 hours from now. Am I ready??? Not even close…but the One Who lives within me is bursting forth with readiness! He is ready in my unreadiness, and I am waiting in great anticipation to see how He will use me, what He will teach me, how He has equipped me, etc.
A couple weeks ago, I was at a women’s conference and the speaker told us of a vision that she had received of all of us women, dressed for battle. She said that everyone was equipped differently, some people in full armor, others with bows and arrows, others with trumpets, etc. She encouraged us to ask God to show us how He has equipped us for battle. I’ve been asking, but nothing had been revealed. Last night I was again encouraged to ask God to show me what His power being manifested in me looks like. I asked Him Father, show me what I’m equipped with/for. Reveal to me how You have dressed me for battle. Immediately I saw my favorite scene in “The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe” where they are all running into battle against the White Witch and her army. Running ahead of Aslan’s army there was a lioness, and I knew that she was me. Then my squad mentor came and laid his hand on me, and told me “the first word that God put in my mind for you is shepherd.”, and my mind went hold up, shepherd? God, where’s your confirmation? Why would You show me a lion and give him shepherd? Those are not even CLOSE to the same! And God was gently like “Really? You are questioning ME?? About clarification that you asked ME for? Just listen.” So I did. My squad mentor went on to call out other things in me “Protector, selfless, you put others’ needs before your own. I see God putting His arm around you, holding a mirror in front of you, and in the reflection He’s standing beside you, saying ‘You are beautiful. Continue to learn to see you as I see you. Teach others how I see them!’” And just like that, God spoke over me (through my squad mentor) what it looks like to shepherd as a lioness! To protect, teach, guide, and charge ahead of the front lines because He’s been speaking into my mirror for a long time, equipping me to speak into the mirrors of those around me and lead them into victory.
Then later God revealed the next part of this beautiful picture to me. He reminded me about how even before Aslan’s army was suited up and charging into battle, HE HAD ALREADY WON! They were victorious before they even began!!! So ultimately, as I am used to equip others and show them what His mirror reveals about them and how He sees them, as I defend them and protect them and as I run out before them leading them into battle, it’s all to the glory of the One in Whom we are already victorious!
So here is my challenge to you: ask God to show you how He’s dressed you for battle. Find someone(s) who will call out those things in you and hold you accountable.
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Thanks for sticking around to the end of this blog. I’m in awe of how God teaches!
Until Next Time!
-Madi Friend
