Everday lately I’ve been passing a billboard of a local church that reads, “I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony”… you know, the old ad from the Coca Cola commercial.

This sentiment has always resonated with my spirit.

In fact, there’s nothing I’d love more.

And given the state of the world today, I would say there is literally nothing the world NEEDS more.

Harmony. Wouldn’t it be nice?

But as Saint Paul said, “We do not battle against flesh and blood but with principalities, darkness and powers in high places.”

Demons

If there were no demons and no spiritual warfare, we would all live in harmony as God intended.

The closer I get to Christ and the more I determine to follow him, the more I suffer. The more attacks come; in jobs, in relationships, even friendships.

Harsh words get spoken. Hearts get broken. Nobody wins.

We have to chalk these things up to what they are, demonic attacks. These are the devil’s way of trying to divide us and hinder God’s plans for our lives. In fact, the devil will not be satisfied until he destroys us completely.

So, what do we do?

FIGHT. Forgive. There is no other alternative.

Either we are rooted in love and God’s harmony, or we are serving Satan, dysfunction and disunity.

I think it was also Paul that said, “Love is patient. Love is kind. It is not proud. It keeps no record of wrongs…”

Is it easy to live this out?

No. Not when we are so wounded by each other. Our hearts must heal.

But lucky for us, Christ is our healer and our redeemer.

He makes all things new if we just give him a chance.

Which is why we are able to forgive and forget even while having to, at times, endure intense attacks.

One day, our boss is writing us up for no reason at all, lying about our character and we’ve lost our job in total injustice. And you feel isolated and alone. Falsely accused, forgotten, rejected… sound familiar?

The next, maybe the person you have loved and prayed for more than anyone else on earth is saying the most cruel things to you… and doesn’t even seem to know who you are.

One day, we can cry all day and see no light at the end of the tunnel… and only because of the goodness of God, the next day we can get up again, and wear yellow flowers in our hair and sing along while we drive our cars feeling totally restored. (Well, almost totally. Maybe it still stings a little. Healing takes time.)

The enemy is tearing our families and our world apart with fear.

Love is the only response.

“I’d like to teach the world to sing in perfect harmony.”

Have a coke and a smile. 😊