Matrix

The More I mature, the Christian walk seems more and more like the Matrix. The idea of Matrix is that the world we live in is only a cover up of reality. I think of Morpheus and how he came to Anderson (which happens to be my last name) and gave him the option to join him or go back to life as he knew it. Jesus did the exact same thing with his disciples. He gave them a choice: red pill or blue pill. He gives us a choice follow him or refute him.

As a Christian, we learn the Word and it’s like the scales our removed from our eyes; our perspectives and world views change and the truth is revealed. Just like the movie, there were many people inside of the Matrix, but not that many on the outside. Like Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it,” Matthew 7:13-14. Furthermore, if you’ve seen the movie, you know that the enemy was not perceived by those in the Matrix, only those on the outside. Paul told the church in Ephesus the same thing, the “struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” As Christians, our spirits our more sensitive to the evilness in the world that we were unaware of before coming to Christ.

If you remember the movie, those who were no longer in the matrix, like Neo, they didn’t live glamorously; they actually looked shabby. The Christian life is a life of suffering, and Paul talked about it plenty in the old testament. In the same way, they looked broken, which is how we should be, because God has to break us to build us. However, they did go back to the Matrix from time to time to save the world from the machines and looked the part. As Christians we have to live in this world, even though it is not our home, and help bring people to safety (witnessing).

The best part about it, “bullet time.” Just as Jesus chooses us, Morpheus picked Neo. Although, he could not just fight on his own, he had to train. We have to train – 1 Timothy 4:7 and Hebrews 5:14 – Through reading, studying, listening, praying, and fasting we train ourselves not only to defeat the enemy, but to understand the world around us and not get caught up in the illusion and deceit, even the things that seem right, like Neo. Needless to say, the most popular scene in the movie is when the enemy is shooting and he bends all the way backward and avoids the bullets. We were given armor to defeat and defer the attacks of the enemy (Ephesians 6). As we grow, mature, and solidify our walk and salvation, the enemy becomes weaker; we become stronger through Christ. As we stay faithful we will be able to accomplish more things than we imagine and no obstacle is too great.

Our purpose is not inside the Matrix; it’s not found in this world. Our purpose comes from heaven. Only Christ can open our eyes. So I ask, red pill or blue pill?

Lovin’ Me

My last post was about music, good music that makes you feel like you have a purpose. This post does the same. Today was the first time I listened to the song in it’s entirety. Originally, I heard it because it was the theme song for “R&B Divas.” Nonetheless, I fell in love with this song because it’s true to every woman’s struggle at some point in her life. Before we can love others, we have to love and appreciate ourselves and believe we have purpose. Thank you Faith Evans, Monifah, Keke Wyatt, Syleena, and Nicci Gilbert.

 

Power of Music

This post will not be the normal length. This time around, my post is dedicated to music, which I feel is one of the world’s most powerful forces. Thus, these videos are here to encourage whoever chooses to watch. They are great songs, both secular and sacred, that helped me, so I know will help you, even in the least bit, to recognize that you are here on purpose.

Leah Smith – Beautifully Made → (Psalm 139)

India Arie – Beautiful

Tammy Trent – At the Foot of the Cross → (Isaiah 63)

Weapons with a Purpose: Fight

Two Edged Sword

So in working with the youth band, I ended up doing a series on the weapons we have to fight the enemy that are sure to work: his blood, your testimony, his word, and your praise. These four have the ability to do serious damage to the schemes of the enemy.

His Blood: Revelation 12:11 tells the story of the fall of Lucifer. He was kicked out of heaven, fell on Earth and has brought destruction ever since. However, in this verse we learn that we overcome him by the blood of the Lamb. First and foremost, we must realize the power of the blood. It saved us and now protects us from the enemy’s schemes. Because of the blood, we are no longer guilty in front of God. This passage calls Satan the accuser; he regularly goes to Heaven and questions the things we do, trying to convince God that we are not His. But then God looks at us, but the blood of our defender makes us not guilty; we are free from the bondage of sin. So live in victory, knowing that you may mess up, but we are God’s children forever and He will never leave us. Nothing can separate us from His love.

Your Testimony: Revelation also mentions another weapon that defeats the enemy – our testimony. I often come across people that are reluctant to share their testimony, because they are ashamed, or they feel that it is insignificant. However, I am here to tell you that sharing your testimony of how God has delivered you or sustained you or kept you is a mighty way of defeating the enemy. When you walk and talk, and embrace the power of God and what He has done in your life, you break the chains of Satan, not only you, but someone else can be encouraged just by hearing what God has done for you. Don’t be afraid of your testimony.

His Word: Ephesians 6:17 specifically calls His Word the sword in the armor of God. The greatest example of this, is Jesus himself. He conquered Satan when he was tempted in the wilderness (Luke 4). Each time Satan tried to make him fall, Jesus responded “it is written,” and eventually the Devil left. Satan is the father of lies so when he comes for us, even as an angel of light, when we know and understand the Word for ourselves, that is the fail proof way to make the Devil flee.

Your Praise: 2 Chronicles 20:12, 18-20 tells the story of King Jehosophat. The Israelites were facing and army they could not defeat, nor did they have a clue as to what to do. Thus Jehosophat went to God and simply worshipped God and commanded the people to do the same. During their worship, God himself fought for them and they were victorious against their enemies. The same goes for us. Many times there are obstacles and things in our lives that are too big for us to handle. But, the sure way to confuse the enemy is to go to God and worship Him in the midst. Joshua also did so in Jericho; they praised God and the walls came tumbling down. So the encouragement is to use a great weapon that is often times down played or overlooked: praise. Praise and worship is so critical, because it’s a defense mechanism, and it gives us the power to stop the giants and enemy in their tracks.

Know that greater is He who is in you than He that is in the world (1 John 4:4), and if you forget, you still have these four weapons to literally destroy your baddest enemy, Satan and his demons. Be encouraged and fight. Satan knows God has an amazing purpose for you and wants to hinder and destroy it every opportunity he gets. Fight. We have the victory.

Phoenix

I am a huge ‘X-Men’ fan and I was floored when I was able to make the parallel of Jean phoenix5Grey and Phoenix, to [my] life as a Christian. It was really life changing, if I may say so myself. I’ve explained it several times, and each time it amazes me, thus, I’m putting it to writing to share with you.

When you think of the ‘X-Men’ plot, the two most significant characters are Professor X and Magneto. Particularly in the last movie of the trilogy, lets assume Professor X to represent God, and Magneto lets assume him to be Satan. In the beginning of the movie, we see the Jean Grey as a young girl. She knows she is different, but doesn’t really understand or know how to handle and or accept it. Nonetheless, she is introduced to and put under the care of Professor X. Just in that, like me and many other we were saved at a young age. We grew up and embraced the Christian lifestyle, like mutants. And not much different than today’s society, the rest of the world didn’t like Christians, just like they persecuted mutants. In the same breath, just as some Christians, some mutants hid their identity and didn’t want to be labeled or persecuted – closet Christians blend in and you won’t know them to be Christians unless you ask. – Likewise, you have Professor X and Magneto fighting for their alliance.

Furthermore, years go by and Jean Grey develops her skill and matures in every aspect, as one should. However, in the second movie she starts to have random visions and starts to lose control. It’s not until the last movie that she learns she has so much more power than she ever knew: the Phoenix. Professor X and Magneto knew this as well. Most importantly, there is the scene where they are fighting over her. Confused and lost, she chooses to go with Magneto who would allow her to lose control and do whatever she wanted. Magneto’s main defense was the fact that, Professor X had known Jean Grey’s power all along but kept it under control, still, Professor X said it was for her own good.

The same thing happens to us, but I pray we all choose the latter. As years go by, our faith is challenged by the world, a world that says we should be able to do what we want when we want no matter the cost. As individuals, God created us each with different powers and abilities, called gifts and talents. When we give our lives to Christ, through the work of the Holy Spirit, he desires to mold us and mature us, shape us and make us fit for the power locked inside of us. Without His control, we are prone to do crazy stupid things (Romans 1) just as Phoenix did in the “X-Men: The Last Stand.” On the contrary, the Devil, like Magneto, wants to use the same power to bring destruction.

Just like Jean Grey should have trusted the ways and purpose of Professor X, so should we trust the ways of God (Isaiah 55). Contrary to the lies of Satan, like Magneto, God is not looking to destroy who we are as persons and make us like robots; He wants to perfect us and the gifts He gave us so that we can be the most effective in His kingdom.

At the end of the movie (spoiler alert) we see that Phoenix has totally lost control and the only way to stop her antics is death, and so Wolverine kills her. Yet, when he kills her, before dying, she smiles as if to say “thank you.” That stands out to me for a couple reasons. I pray I never get so off track and off focus in doing my own thing, that I bring more harm than good and wind up in a space wondering how in the world I got there. Yet, if God forbid I get there, death is only option, death to self that is, so Christ may be resurrected in my life (Galatians 2:20). So the question would be, who is my Wolverine?

God has an amazing purpose for you. My prayer is that you won’t let Satan, or your Magneto, discourage you and make you doubt what God is doing in your life. There is a season for everything, and God knows the beginning and the end. So when you get anxious, and your mind starts to wonder and your heart gets confused, trust God and trust His heart. You have the amazing power of Christ in your life, whether you realize how great it is or not, and when God Himself says you are ready to release, the by all means fly and change the world. Who knows what good Jean Grey could’ve done if she would have stayed with Professor X. Likewise, don’t get to heaven and have God say if only you would have stayed with me…