Ropes. Handcuffs. Duct Tape.

For me, Mark Batterson's words are convicting; straight from my Heavenly Father. I have had difficulty reading a complete chapter of "Primal" in one sitting. Not because of poor writing, but because the Holy Spirit is speaking...He is moving and I do not want to miss anything. I want to move on to the last section on the Strength of Christianity, and I have started. Yet, I have to continue my focus on a portion from the Mind of Christianity a little longer.

"Take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." II Corinthians 10:5

Bind up. Ropes. Handcuffs. Duct Tape. Sounds like capturing a villain; someone unwanted; someone who wants to harm; someone who wants to steal, kill and destroy. I've quoted this verse time and time again as Satan lures me into sin. He knows my weaknesses and uses my active imagination to create fear, loneliness, and belief in things not true. He has led me down paths that I truly didn't want to take. He has had me believe that my desires were more important than my commitments. I have experienced victory because of spiritual ropes, handcuffs and duct tape. (The duct tape is necessary because my thoughts are loud...we are talkers!)

However, Mark Batterson casts a new perspective on this verse that has gripped me. And I can't shake it. He states that my interpretation of this verse is only "half the battle."

"This verse is not just about capturing sinful thoughts and getting them out of
our minds; it's also about capturing creative thoughts and keeping them in
our minds. It means stewarding every word, every thought, every
impression, and every revelation inspired by the Spirit of God."

Capturing creative thoughts. WOW! Like I said, I have an active imagination and would love to have a job where someone paid me for all of my ideas. I may not be organized and detailed enough to implement the ideas, but I can surely come up with some doozies! Sadly, most of my ideas are simply dreams; they have never been captured and brought to reality.

One, though, has been with me since the fall of 2002 when I was living in Kansas with Kelly's sister. An idea for a book. I have a file with articles and ideas and a little research. I have made phone calls and personal requests for people to participate. I have brainstormed interview questions with a close friend. I have written a preface. Yet, feelings of inadequacy keep me captive. I am the one tied up, handcuffed and duct taped.

So, I am asking you to hold me accountable for the next twelve months. Come alongside me and pray that I will take this God Idea and hold it captive. Encourage me to be obedient to the most creative inventor and follow through on a dream that is getting old. I desire to be used of God to shape the next generation of missionaries. I want to be a part of the salvation of that last one. I want to be used to usher in the trumpet sound.

Imagine with me...one day, somewhere in the world, a Christian leads someone to Jesus and immediately the trumpet sounds and Jesus returns!

The harvest is plentiful and the laborers are few.