My dad gave me a book while I was on vacation that asks that question. From page one, I have been hooked on King's 11/22/63, about a man who travels through a wormhole in the basement of a local diner that transports him to 1958. Quickly, this man is set on a mission to stop what he sees as the most tragic even in the early 60's, the 1963 assasination of JFK.
Along the way, the main character doesn't just focus on stopping Oswald's heinous act, but makes a few side trips to correct other, minor wrongs in history. Seriouslu, think Back to the Future meets Quantum Leap. It is awesome, and makes me think what it would be like to witness history firsthand. The moon landing, V-J and V-E Day, the Beatles first American concert, the premiere of Star Wars.
If there's one thing I would like to witness, and one person I would like to talk to, it would be FDR and his address to Congress after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. What thoughts went through his mind, what feelings he had when he asked Congress to declare war. The pain of being attacked, of wondering if he could have prevented the disaster, of feeling like he failed to protect those families had to be overwhelming. Then, to add to it, the thought, "What should I do now? This was an act of war, where do I go from here? Can we fight back, what are the risks, do we have the resources for a fight like this? Will others fight with us, or will we be alone?"
I guess I've been wondering about that a lot lately. What it takess to declare war. I've been wondering that because the last year has seen me and my family facing numerous attacks and declarations of war from the master of evil as we've been at work in our current appointment.
God has amazing plans for The Salvation Army's ministry in this area. Its quite humbling to be a part of His plans. But, as God's plans are to reach out to those in need of a Savior, saving one life at a time from the sin that separates them from God; the devil doesn't like it. So, the evil one has declared war, a very personal, mean and vicious war on myself and my family in an attempt to prevent us from the mission we have committed our lives to.
His attacks have, simply said, at times been devastating. A month ago, I wasn't sure what to do, how to proceed, how to make it stop. Through huge amounts of prayer, and sharing with my friends and loved ones what has been going on, I have realized something; I can't make it stop. If I give up, the fight resets with someone else, the cycle begins again, and the devil wins. I can't ignore it, it won't go away. So, what must I do?
I have the armor of God, I have the Holy Spirit, I have God the Father, I have my salvation from Jesus - I have the promise of victory. What do I do? I say, its time to declare my war on the forces of evil. I fight! Unlike FDR, I don't have to worry if the risks are worth the fight, they are. I don't have to worry if I can survive this fight, with God I can. I don't have to worry if I can really fight back, through Christ I can. I don't have to worry if I will fight this fight alone. I don't have to worry if this is a war I can win, because if I claim victory in the name of God, the victory is already assured!
In the days ahead, I vow to take this war to the next level. I do this through faith, devotion, study, trust and numerous hours of prayer. I do this in the power of the Holy Spirit. I'm asking you, whomever you are, to fight with me. Pray for me and this fight, for the Corps God has called me to lead in His name. Pray for the lost. Pray for the victory we claim in this Mat-Su Valley and which is already won in the name of God!
BLT says.......when the devil declares war on you, declare war on him.
