Years ago a little boy went to a very strict military school and every day he would leave his dorm room and get in a line of boys who went out to report for early morning instructions. As he would file out every morning he started thinking, “Why am I doing this and what does it help?” Finally, the question bugged him so much that he went to their commander and shared his heart. The seasoned soldier looked at him with a grin and said, “Son, you are one of few who have ever openly questioned why we do what we do here. I appreciate your individuality, and the answer is clear when you look at it from my perspective. When I send my soldiers to the battle line I know the enemy has one thing in mind: divide and conquer. The strength of our fighting force is that we never break ranks, we never think of ourselves first, and we always hold strong to our unity. That is our strength, and that is our purpose. It is proven and foundational to the success of our mission in every way. We just can’t improve on it. Does that answer your question?”
The little boy looked at the commander with a tear in his eye and said, “Sir, what you have explained is what I’ve been looking for. I will do everything I can to make my line strong, unified, and purposeful. Now I know what it means to be a soldier.” As He turned to leave the room, the commander called out, “Soldier. You are wise beyond your years and I commend you for that. Now get back in line and get ready to fight!” The little soldier turned and saluted and said, “Sir, yes sir.” He walked out of the office a different person. He had purpose in his position and his willingness to line up was an act of obedience that would strengthen all who lined up with him for years to come.
2 Timothy 2:1-4 is a call to follow our commander and get “lined up” with His instructions. Paul compels Timothy and us to be strong in the grace that we have in Christ Jesus. He also calls us to take what we know and share it with others through our words and our example. The call to line up is a challenge to endure hardship with each other, to lift one another up in good and bad times and to never break ranks. His last challenge is the most important. Paul says we must not get involved in thinking like civilians. Civilians are not trained, not tested, and they haven’t signed up to fight, so they don’t have the concept of the requirements of being a soldier. We are soldiers fighting the good fight. The battle’s already been won and our commander goes before us as we claim more and more territory for our King. The enemy’s plan hasn’t changed, by the way. Satan’s plan is still to divide and conquer. As I came to God this morning for explanations about certain things, He answered through His word very clearly and then He said, “Get back in line.” My reply is “Yes, Daddy!”
What is your reply? The battle is raging. Line up . . .
The Pilgrimage continues…
David Warren