“Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.”
2 Timothy 2:3 (NIV)
From the time I was old enough to be asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I had always responded with, “I’m going to be a Marine.” I’m not sure why I wanted to be one. I certainly did not know the realities of soldier life. The first day at USMC Recruit Training Center Parris Island opened my eyes. Perhaps I chose from dreamland’s choices too quickly.
In our text, young Timothy has also chosen to be a soldier of Christ. Paul the seasoned soldier challenges the young recruit to endure. This may be the most difficult attribute of a soldier. A soldier is given an objective to achieve and he/she doesn’t quit because the situation is or becomes tough. He/she doesn’t give up because the circumstances are painful. He/she doesn’t retreat because the conditions are harsh. He/she doesn’t surrender because the enemy holds the objective and the advantage. The soldier is trained to endure until the objective is successfully achieved.
Soldiers are not recruited for peace time. Soldiers are recruited and trained for war. Hardship is the daily existence of soldiers in the field. The ground for a bed. Unsavory food eaten cold or cooked over a fire by an inexperienced cook. Day patrols, night patrols. Surprise enemy attacks at all hours. Guard duty throughout the night. Long marches across unfamiliar terrain, regardless of the weather. Rain, cold, hot, mosquitoes, knats, sand-fleas, flies, sunburn, fatigue, sore feet and legs, dysentery, along with a few other unsavory elements all grate on the human psyche and nerves become brittle. These all must be dealt with while carrying a forty-pound pack of essential personal gear and supply of food. In addition, a soldier also carries a rifle and other weaponry. Hardship is the best description for a soldier’s life. Even the best are tempted at times to quit.
Soldiers need to know the realities which they will confront. Soldiers need regular communication with those back home. They need to be told regularly that they are doing a good job. From time to time, they also need to be reminded of why, for what, and for whom they fight. It is why Paul reminded Timothy that he was a soldier of Christ Jesus.
Dear Father, thank you for your grace and mercy. Thank you for calling us as your soldiers. Empower us with the spiritual and intestinal fortitude to endure. Enable us to look past the hardships of this life and glimpse our objective. Help us remember why, for what, and for whom we serve. This I pray in Jesus’ name. AMEN
Let us praise God for his plan and live for his purpose,