From the Desk of a Geek: Yes Drill Sergeant

From the Desk of a Geek:

Yes! Drill Sergeant 

Men and women enlist in the armed service of the United States every day. When they do, they sign up and make a commitment to serve. They’re provided with new clothes. Their old identity as nerd, athlete, or dodgeball hero is all gone. 

They just become a soldier. Then they go into basic training where they endure physical challenges that get their bodies in shape and their minds in line with the rules of the service. In exchange for all this, the government feeds, clothes and houses them during this time and pays their way.

Did you know that as a Christian, you have been enlisted as a soldier representing the Kingdom of God? You no longer represent yourself. 

In God’s Kingdom, He will clothe you, feed you and provide for you. He also will train you through the Word of God through your pastor’s teaching and your personal devotional time. 

There are some hard things you have to endure in your soul (mind, will and emotions) and your flesh- like forgiving people and being kind when you don’t feel like it.

Paul wrote a letter to Timothy and encouraged him:

In 2Timothy 2:3-4 we are reminded “Therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No one who wars tangles with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who chose him to be a soldier.”

The purpose of hardness we endure is to get us in shape. We don’t always feel like praying or reading our Bible, but we know we have to spiritually fit to combat the attacks of the enemy, the devil. 

In order to win the battles of life, we have to submit to being trained or disciplined by God’s Word so that we win! Just like a soldier in Basic Training, it’s not always joyful- but it reaps a great reward. We learn how to live as a team, rather than just for ourselves.

Hardness does not include sickness or depression. God never trains us with these- these are attacks of the enemy, the devil. We’re never to endure sickness or depression. Soldiers aren’t trained with these things.

You may be trained through a job with a tough boss. You may be trained in school with a tough teacher. You may be trained through a irritating brother or sister to walk in love and forgive. 

Just remember, every time you submit to this training and respond correctly, you’re getting in better shape all the time to be a good soldier in God’s army.

Sabine Baring-Gould had a brilliant mind. Born in 1834 in Exeter, England, he mastered six languages, became an author, archaeologist, architect, artist, teacher, and folk song collector. He also was a full-time minister.

In 1865, the school at the church where he was pastor planned to join with the school in a neighboring village. He wanted his children to sing while marching, but could not think of anything quite suitable. He sat up that night and composed a hymn called “Onward, Christian Soldiers.”

He pictured the Christian life as a battle. Like soldiers, we should march as to war, “with the cross of Jesus going on before.” 

We are imitating the leading of Jesus, our “royal Master.” He saw the church as “a mighty army” that was following in the footsteps of saints who had lived before. 

Remember you, too, are a soldier in God’s army, fighting a non-stop spiritual war. Do your part to win the battle by serving God with all your time, talents, and treasures. With God on your side, you can be confident of victory! Be bold and go into battle today.

Lonnie