ANTAGONIST WANTA-BE

 

 

Antagonist Wanta-be

By Susan Marlene Kinney

Pens of Praise Devotion, October 12, 2013

 

That would be me, an antagonist wanta-be! I want to be like my FATHER IN HEAVEN, for HE fosters life … For instance, in the book of Romans, in a passage, which speaks of Abraham being our father, the Scripture reads…

God who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did, who contrary to hope, in hope believed, so that he became the father of many nations according to what was spoken, “So shall your descendants be.” Romans 4:17

In the movie ‘Les Miserables,’ Javert, Montreuil’s police chief, is passionate about keeping the law, but he is actually Jean Valjean’s antagonist. I suppose, in a similar way, I want to be the devils antagonist. I want to speak life and not death. I want to pray interruption and destruction to the devils plans. I want to encourage and strengthen my brothers and sisters in Christ.

 I want to be a part of rescuing those who feel unworthy of God’s favor by bringing them into the truth and light of the father’s love for them.

The Lord says about the wicked, “You use your mouth for evil and harness your tongue to deceit.” Aren’t we to bring the opposite, to displace Satan’s wickedness? I want to harness my mouth for life, purity, and to keep my tongue from evil. In the movie, ‘Les Miserables,’ the government’s faulty system treated the innocent like Cosett unjustly and also harshly treated those who stole bread because they were starving. No forgiveness or opportunity could be found for Cosett’s mother. This movie represents to me a system of law without grace without love without godly truth.

How do we prevent ourselves from such error and coldness of heart? “My heart says of you, ‘Seek his face!’ Your face, LORD, will I seek.” Psalms 27:8. And also, “Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always.” Psalms 105:4

It’s up to us to meditate and ponder the word of God, because no one can do that for us. Our father made us in HIS image. How joyful HE must be when we resemble HIS goodness, kindness, grace and love when life tosses its worst at us. We are his ambassadors. How about this new thought— we can be the Antagonistic Ambassadors of the LORD Most High!

That is the title I would be honored to embrace.

Oh Lord, your kindness penetrates the deepest darkest holes. You are unwavering with unconditional love, grace, and holiness. Help me to be you willing antagonistic ambassador who is successful in thwarting the plans and evil intentions of the devil and his minions. I asked this day for a natural flair of bringing your grace to the graceless, your patience to the inpatient and generosity to greedy. Help me to represent purity in a way that is not legalistic but is instead life-giving.

As Jesus prayed, “Our FATHER in heaven, hallowed be YOUR name, YOUR kingdom come, YOUR will be done on earth as it is in heaven…

 

*The very next day after our Pens meeting, we had a guest speaker at church.  Guess what Pastor Andy Shanholtz spoke about.....Well the title of his sermon was "The Labels We Wear!" I've ever thrilled with our Lord!  Sorry about the photo I couldn't think of anything else that would represent antagonisgts any better! LOL!