Reflections from the Sanctuary of Home: Battling Beneath the Surface

Dear reader,

Today, My morning watch brought me to think about my purpose and the spiritual battles that play out in my own home. It hit me how deeply we're created to be more than just existing—we're meant to be living expressions of something greater.

That verse in Genesis about being made in God's image? It's not just some pretty religious talk. It's about being a walking, breathing reflection of the Divine. And dominion isn't about being a tyrant—it's about representing something sacred in every space I occupy.

The real battlefield? Right here. In my home. Between me and my spouse. How many times have I let the "serpent" speak through me—those moments of frustration, anger, or disconnection? I'm learning it's not about winning arguments or proving myself right. It's about something deeper.

When tension rises, my first instinct is to fight. But I'm learning a different way. Instead of arguing with my partner, I'm learning to pray. To get on my knees and ask for something bigger to intervene. It's not about binding my spouse—it's about binding that unseen force that wants to destroy our connection.

I've seen it happen. Those moments when irritation starts to spiral. The old me would argue, defend, attack. Now, I'm trying to pause. To recognize it's not really about what's happening on the surface. There's something underneath—a spiritual dynamic I can't see but can definitely feel.

Calling on Jesus isn't a magic fix. It's a realignment. A way of saying, "This isn't who we really are. This isn't what we're meant to be." It's about remembering our original design—to reflect, to love, to connect.

My home can be a battleground or a sanctuary. The choice is mine. Not through my own strength, but through something way beyond me.

Praying for grace. Praying for vision to see beyond the surface.

Until tomorrow

Chaplain Mark