Just Win, Baby!

Seems like so many folks these days are chasing after the distinctly modern idea known as “victorious living” – we want victory over sickness, victory in our relationships, victory in our finances. Some of us even want victory over sin. But do we take this idea of spiritual victory too lightly? Do we understand it? Do we really even recognize victory when it happens?

 Nearly 500 years ago, a man called Brother Lawrence began conversing with a friend and writing about living every moment as though you are in the very presence of God. He spoke of approaching the most menial tasks with the mindset that, whether you’re presiding over a nation or shoveling out barns, do so from a place of humility and gratitude for the opportunity. His writings were fashioned into a book called “The Practice of the Presence of God”, from which we can draw a lesson on living a truly victorious life.

 You see, Brother Lawrence teaches us the secret of living life moment-by-moment – don't spend so much of your time only looking for God to yank you from the clutches of some huge catastrophe in a blaze of glory; instead, be in-the-moment enough to recognize the victory you had in being able to get out bed this morning! Figure out how to take note of and great joy in the fact that you had any amount of food to sustain you…just for today! Marvel at the wonder of having water to wash a dish, or even having the wits to think a thought.

 It’s in these tiny, run-of-the-mill, simple moments that we can begin to see that each moment we’re alive is a reflection of God’s defeat of the enemy – that is to say, every single moment of life is a victory! When the enemy tries to knock you off your square – and he WILL try – just summon up in your spirit that Al Davis catch-phrase and whisper to yourself “Just win, baby!” Each moment we walk out as though God was physically standing right there can be one more moment when the enemy takes an “L”! When we can take to heart the fact that our lives really don’t have a whole lot to do with us – but that it truly is all about God – then, and ONLY then, can we lay claim to living victoriously!

Sounds to me like Brother Lawrence took Colossians 3:23 real seriously….as should we – it says:

 “Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people.” (Colossians 3:23)