The Battle

             As the sign on my Sun Porch wall says, “the Beach is my happy place”.  Several years ago, while walking along a wharf overlooking the bay, I watched the fishermen who had just returned with their catch.  They were cutting up the fish, putting the edible parts into a box on the dock, and tossing the rest into the water to the delight of the pelicans who waited nearby.

            As each piece of fish hit the water, a swarm of pelicans attacked the area, each hoping for a bite.  Some were lucky enough to catch a piece before it hit the water, but most found themselves in a battle for each bite.

            As I watched the battle among those hungry pelicans, one caught my eye.  He was sitting quietly in the water near the dock where the fish box was located.  He sat patiently, off to himself, intently watching the fishermen, and it soon became apparent that he was hoping that one of their tosses to the box would miss and he would have his own private meal without any hassle or fight.

            Maybe he didn’t like to argue or fight, or perhaps he was just lazy.  We will never know his reasoning, and I can’t say whether his plan was successful but as I watched, I couldn’t think how much like people those pelicans were.

            Life is a battle every day.  Just as those pelicans fought for food, we are in a fight between good and evil.  It’s not a pretty battle, and some are better equipped than others to handle the fight.  Some are strong and courageous, more than willing to step into the ring, speaking out against evil and promoting good and righteousness.             

            Others are not so strong.  They can easily identify good and evil, and they are concerned that evil may be winning the battle.  They sign petitions and talk to their friends about the terrible things that are happening, but they always stay just on the fringe of the battle.

            A few are even weaker.  Like that lone pelican, they completely separate themselves from the struggle.  Maybe they think that by ignoring it, the battle will go away, but unfortunately, it won’t.  Sin is an ugly part of this world, and burying our heads in the sand won’t make it any less real.

            As Christians, we are in this world, and though we may not be a part of it, we still must fight against the evil that threatens to corrupt us all.  We cannot separate ourselves from the world if we are going to have any hope of changing people’s hearts.  We can’t ignore the struggles that so many are facing. 

            I don’t know what happened to that pelican.  He may have starved to death waiting for someone to toss him some food.  I do know that we have been called to be light amid darkness, and we can’t do that if we avoid the battle that is raging.  Satan’s not going to stand idly by, and neither can we.  We must put on the armor of God and continue the fight for the hearts of people everywhere.

Ephesians 6: 10 – 18

I Peter 5:8