7/5/2020 Contend
I woke up with one word in my heart – it didn’t come as a gentle whisper, rather it came as a shout in my heart:
CONTEND!!
Followed shortly by this:
WAKE UP! CONTEND!
Contend, by definition: (verb) to struggle in opposition: to contend with the enemy for control of the port. to strive in rivalry; compete; vie: to contend for first prize. to strive in debate; dispute earnestly: to contend against falsehood.
(source: Dictionary.com)
The word “contend” derives from Old French contendre or Latin contendere, from con- ‘with’ + tendere ‘stretch, strive’.
Some people are born contenders. They feel a fight within them to stand up for injustice and righteousness. Debate is second nature – and they are very good at it. They are passionate about the truth. Passionate about justice. Passionate about advocating their cause. They do not back down from a fight – they run to it. They are quick to speak up and will, most definitely, be heard.
I admire people like that – their confidence, their certainty, even their calling – but that is not me.
Others may be like me – a reluctant, reserved contenders. I don’t run to every battle – but I will stand up for what I am deeply passionate about – my kids, my family, my team. I will not be the loudest voice on the block – rather, I will wait for opportunities to speak to someone’s heart.
Contention is found throughout scripture. The people contended with Moses after they left the wilderness and had not water (Exodus 17:2), Jacob contended with Laban (Genesis 31:36), and Job contended passionately with his friends that came to comfort him – going so far to say that he would ‘give up the ghost’ if he held his tongue (Job 13:19, KJV) just to name a few.
I would venture to say each one of us – whether a reluctant, reserved contender like me or a born contender like my husband – will contend boldly for whatever we are passionate about.
When I awoke with the cry to contend, I knew immediately what to contend for: UNITY.
Division is more prevalent than ever in this season. Our social media and news feeds are filled with videos of people fighting and arguing over everything around us: whether or not masks really protect us, whether or not we can sing in church (California, you’ve gone too far), whether or not a COVID vaccine will be safe, and the list goes on.
Division is not new to Believers in Jesus Christ; it is after all why denominations exist! People simply cannot agree on fundamentals like raising hands in worship, hymns or overheads, women as preachers/teachers, how you partake of communion, that whole speaking in tongues thing – the list is endless!
Wake up friends!!!
Division is a weapon of Satan! We must contend for unity in our families, in our churches, and in our communities!
Believers in Jesus Christ we are called to a higher standard: love!
By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
John 13:35
And what does love look like? Kindness. Repentance. Forgiveness.
Hate for another person has no place in our heart. Period.
If someone says, “I love God,” and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that he who loves God must love his brother also.
I John 4:20-21
Love is THE only way forward. Love for our families, love for our communities, love for our neighbor. I will contend for unity in my home by choosing to not be easily offended. I will contend for unity in my community by loving my neighbor in practical ways. I will contend for unity in my team by listening more. I choose to walk in patience, kindness, gentleness, and self control. I will not keep a record of wrong. I will not provoke others. will rejoice in the truth. I will choose to love – God’s way.
That is how I will contend – and that is how change will come.
Choose love – His way. (I Corinthians 13)
~mlp
