Happy December 7th! You probably didn't know it was a
holiday, but today marks at least two important events. The first is my
spiritual birthday. I now have 35 years of walking with God. Over the years of time,
I'm sure there are thousands and thousands of others who share my special day,
maybe even some from your ministry. Maybe someone today. If you haven't had the
joy of seeing someone saved recently, I pray it will happen for you very soon.
Today's second event is better known: the Japanese attack on
Pearl Harbor. As devastating as that attack was for the U.S. Navy, the Japanese
did not realize they had awakened a sleeping giant. The move the Japanese
thought would guarantee the strength of their position ended up being the start
of their demise.
For many years I have been interested in World War II, and I
have read many books on the subject. One of the most powerful was about the
D-Day invasion in Normandy. I was sobered and overwhelmed by the sacrifice of
those soldiers. Those men marched off the landing craft, knowing that many of
them would die. On that day alone, approximately 5,500 American, British, and
Canadian soldiers lost their lives.
Risk of death is not the only difficulty a soldier faces. He
might be wounded and face a long, painful recovery. He might lose a part of his
body, like a leg or an eye, limiting his capacity. He might live with mental
and emotional scars because of the trauma of battle. He is separated from
family for long periods of time, not knowing if or when he will see them again.
He leaves behind pleasures and comforts. He lives simply and sometimes under
deprivation. He obeys orders that are uncomfortable, not following his own plan
but that of his superior officer. He stays up at night when that is his duty. He
learns new jobs. He never completely relaxes. He travels from place to place,
not having a permanent home. He makes do with what he has. He is one of many,
filling the role he is given as one cog in a giant machine. He is often
underappreciated. He is definitely underpaid. He gives years of his life that
he can never get back. When he comes back home, he finds things and people
changed, and he may not fit in.
I could probably go on, but I share that list as a poignant
picture of what it is like to be a Christian soldier. If you read the list
again, I'm sure you will find many, many parallels to your own life. It is not
an accident that God refers to Christians who serve Him as soldiers. It is an
apt picture.
"No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs
of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier"
(II Timothy 2:4).
As you serve God, you have made the decisions revealed in
this verse. In a world (particularly the American culture) that constantly
strives toward pleasure, entertainment, and relaxation, you have distanced
yourself from those pursuits. In order to effectively serve God, you have laid
some things aside. You have done this so that you can please the One who has
chosen you. Everything you do is for Him and to accomplish His plans and
objectives. Such service will be worth the effort. What you do today matters
for eternity, and God is not a "general" who overlooks the labors of
his soldiers. He knows what you are doing, and your obedience meets with His
pleasure. Some day He will speak words of approval and reward.
Thank you for choosing to follow God. Thank you for
remaining faithful in spite of the challenges. While you may feel like you are
part of a small, select group, the truth is that the church needs examples like
you. The church needs to see people who will sacrifice everything to serve God.
Not every Christian will follow your example or share your passion, but many,
many Christians will be challenged and encouraged by your labors.
Keep moving forward this week in whatever mission God places
before you. Trust Him for the orders that don't seem to make sense. Trust that
your role will intersect with that of many others, so that together God's work
will be done.
Love in Christ,
Peggy Holtmember at Open Door Baptist Church in Lebanon, PA
www.pressingontohigherground.blogspot.com
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