Some of those arrows you’ve endured were for those in your own family who needed to see somebody walk for real with Jesus. At every persecution, they saw you stand back up and be willing to take one for the team.

 

Somebody has been watching you to see if you’re the real deal but when you lost it all and still kept preaching Jesus and Him crucified they marveled that maybe just maybe this life in Christ could be for them too.

 

On the nights’ when persecution from your closest came, those kids of yours watched to see if you’d throw in the towel and call it “done.” Trust me. They’ve seen every tear you’ve cried and watched every betrayal pierce your back. Yet they also saw you resurrected with Jesus with power and persistence by His Spirit.

 

Some saw you and prejudged that your battles were due to sin or your own shortcomings. They weren’t mature enough in Christ yet to know that the fire was because you were one of Heaven’s heavyweights.

 

Then one day you receive a message from another heart that took its own stand one day and tears fall from your eyes because Jesus said, “See what happened in the midst of all the rain?”

 

Somebody found grace.

Somebody found restoration.

Somebody finally rejected the lies spoken over them their whole life and decided what you had was worth grabbing hold of.

 

Somebody watched as you were sustained by supernatural strength through deep waters sent to overtake you.

 

Somebody wondered why on earth you didn’t just quit when you were left for dead.

 

The only answer is found in the name of Jesus.

 

So this is for all the soldiers who are considered laying down their swords.

 

Think of the wayward child secretly reading of every encounter with Jesus, crying out, “I want what she/he has!”

 

Think of the one who’s been devalued by those closest to her or him, and now she/he is watching you walk into freedom with Christ as truth is being revealed through your every word and life.

 

And then ask yourself the question:

 

“How could it not be worth it?”

 

In that very moment, you’ll know the depth of Christ’s love for humanity “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross…”