We have great respect for those who serve in the military, particularly those that are on the front lines and those who serve on special forces. These are the ones who take on the danger, the stress, the wounds and the side effects that come with that duty. They are the best warriors.
While riding the train to downtown on a beautiful spring day, I was able to see the familiar parts of town from another point of view, the view from the train instead of the view from the road. I saw that even though it was a beautiful day and everyone on the train was behaving, it was still not as beautiful as it should be. The signs of creation being ruined are all around. The beauty that we do see is darkness compared to what it should be. The prince of darkness is "having his way".
We, who have Jesus Christ as our Lord, are really those who He has given the permanent occupation of serving on the front line of His battle. What an important job! We are the ones who wield the sword and carry the shield with His strength in our arms, ("as your day, so shall your strength be"); daily battling in the darkness of the emptiness of night.
In reality, we are fighting the world, the flesh and Satan all the time. Why did God give us this vitally important job? It's such an honor for weak ones like us. You can be sure that He didn't give it to us if we couldn't execute our duties for Him. He enables us to wield the weapon and artfully outmaneuver the enemy until we are through. What an honor.
You don't have to play a war-themed video game. You don't have to watch a World War II battle movie. You are living it. You have wounded veterans around that need assistance. You have fellow soldiers that are weakened and need water or defensive rescue. You see the spiritual enemy pursuing one of your own and you have to hack the enemy to peices from behind without hurting your own brother or sister in the Lord. You have the fiery darts of doubt, temptation and discouragement. You have evil waiting just around the corner to launch a projectile that could completely ruin you. It takes godly wisdom, skill and strength from Him, and prayerful dependence on Him.
You have the best that technology has to offer in weaponry. You have an endless supply of belt-feed ammunition, body-armor, detection devices and so much more. God's Word is your unending supply and the Holy Spirit is the supernatural detection device that you need to help you to anticipate trouble.
"Ride out the storm at the gates of dawn
Sing through the tempest til' the music's gone
Legion the enemies to trample down
Warriors of legend and of great reknown
In the arena with an audience of thousands
Clad in the armor of an army yet unseen
Raging a battle in the emptiness of night
with all your might (til' it's done)"
(Excerpt from "Melicus Gladiator" by Proto Kaw)
Smell the burning powder?
There's danger in the air
A voice from deep inside is telling you, 'you must beware'
The enemy is watching
Every step you take
To find his opportunity in every choice you make
And it's no game
When someone lives without His grace
And who's to blame
When it blows up in their face
It's a mine field - you'd better follow Him through
God knows the way - you'd better stick like glue
It's a mine field - better stay on His heels
'cause the enemy kills and the enemy steals
So keep your head down and keep you eyes peeled
'cause life is... Life is a mine field
("Mine Field" excerpt, by Bob Hartman)
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