The prince and principalities of this world are taking shots. How do I know? Because he is throwing them.
The last three weeks have been hell on me. Emotionally and physically, I have never been weaker. Tempted and tried in every way, the latest attack has come in the form of 'shingles.' My ear, mouth, and top of my head—it started in my ear last Thursday and spread from there. Moments and hours of pain have literally brought me to tears.
Amid my suffering, I can't help but think of my friend Matthew. Matthew was supposed to accompany me to Africa three weeks ago, but couldn't. Connecting on a flight in Dallas, Matthew passed out in the Admirals Club only to wake up with someone doing chest compressions. He was rushed to the hospital where, after a week, they discovered he had picked up an infection in his intestines, which he got in Cuba, where he was training pastors.
This coming Monday, they are removing most of his intestines and colon. His life will never entirely be the same.
Shingles fail in comparison.
Recently, talking with Matthew, I was encouraged by how steadfast he was. He was on a layover in Dallas, 26 hours removed from training pastors in Australia—he was as eternally minded as ever, even with the looming life-altering surgery in view. His disposition nor his zeal had changed. I only met Matthew a year ago, but he has quickly become one of my modern evangelical heroes. Reading that, in his Scottish accent, he would immediately tell me I needed better heroes.
This year alone, Matthew and his group have trained hundreds of pastors in some of the hardest-to-reach places. I partnered with them a few weeks ago, training 200+ pastors in Kenya and on the Ugandan and Burundi borders.
Amidst all that, BetterMan is blowing and going. We have seen a record number of group launches as more and more churches and leaders of men are utilizing the tool. I recently finished a conference in Louisville, KY [where I preached, unknowingly, with shingles. I call it my 'flu game']. And we have our two biggest conferences in ministry history on the horizon: one next week in Salem, OR, and in three weeks in Jackson, MS.
Is it any wonder that satan is up in arms? I have long said that, as men, "we should move in such a way that heaven applauds us and hell knows our name." Brothers, satan is learning our names. He is learning my name... No longer will it be said, "Jesus, we know, and Paul we've heard of, but who are you?" [Acts 19:15]
Satan knows Matthew's name.
He knows Josh's name.
He knows Garth's name.
He knows Stephen's name.
He knows Nate's name.
He knows Eric's name.
He knows Andrew's name.
He knows Tim's name.
He knows Kyle's name.
He knows John's name.
He knows Ray's name.
He knows Daniel’s name.
There is an army coming after him. And there is nothing he can do about it. We fight from the side of victory. There is nothing that can separate us from our Father's love. Nothing can sever us from our Brother's grip, from His protection; not sickness, surgery, shingles, nothing... I am particularly fond of Eugen Peterson's translation of Roman's 8:30-39 today,
"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn't hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn't gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God's chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ's love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you.
We're sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I'm absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God's love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."
Matthew is not fazed.
The army of men in Salem who reached out to me to let me know they were praying, are not fazed.
I am not fazed. Like Ali, I find myself, looking at the evil one, whispering, "say my name…" Better yet, "say His name… the name of above all names, the name of Jesus…"
CS Lewis once said, "Christians naturally think more often of what the world [and satan] has inflicted on the saints, but the saints also inflict much on the world..."
Resting these last few days I've had time to reflect on all that God is doing through me and the small band of brothers I run with. Time to think about all the good trouble we are inflicting upon satan and this world. Brothers, make no mistake, the evil one is throwing shots. But he's taking more than he is throwing.
Go 'head, hit me your best shot. You come on with it, come on, you don't fight fair.
But that's okay, see if I care. Knock me down, it's all in vain. I'll get right back on my feet again… Hit me with your best shot. Fire away.
One of your best reads yet! Something about the struggle makes me want to dig in and fight harder. The enemy wants us to give in and quit. When things are getting tougher we are probably on the right path but know we have leader in Jesus Christ and we need to just stay behind Him and at his speed. Peace!
Sorry to hear that - shingles is definitely painful. I think Midwestern Doctor had some information about DMSO + treating shingles. Might be worth the look.
But yes - God is good, even with shingles. :)