The Bible is filled with declarations that I am set apart
by God to do His will. His Son lives in me, therefore my life is not as it once
was and my focus ought to be His focus. I’m to stand out as someone who has the
character, words and actions of a person who lives to glorify Jesus Christ. My love
for Him and for other Christians is to be the dominating force in my life.
This focus is not about that “heavenly-minded”
perspective that keeps me from doing good things and helping others. It does
not mean being so wrapped up in Christian interests that I cannot even talk
about what is going on in the world. But it does mean putting the will of God first,
yet for those of us who follow and belong to Jesus, this seems to be
increasingly rare.
Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. (2 Timothy 2:3–4)
When I read these verses, the idea of being a soldier
puts images in my mind. A soldier is totally focused on his duty. He does have
days of rest, but no moonlighting on a second job or even with time-consuming
hobbies. Not only that, he has a superior officer who gives him orders and he
listens and obeys those orders, no questions asked.
Soldiering involves keeping peace and fighting enemies. So
does Christian life. As a believer in Jesus, I’m to seek and pursue peace, but
also be involved in spiritual warfare, fighting evil and sin. Temptations come
through enemies such as the world, the flesh and the devil. We fight inner and
outer lies and deceptions that attempt to throw us off and keep us from doing
what God wants us to do. In these battles, we are buffeted and often suffer.
We also suffer a sense of loss just for being a soldier. Some
actual soldiers sign up to defend their country and go into combat as required,
risking injury or worse, but some go AWOL because this becomes too much for
them. Christian soldiers can have similar experiences, but instead of running
away without permission, we can bury ourselves in “civilian pursuits” and stay
in the church as if still on duty. I see this happen more often than I meet Christian
soldiers who avoid such entanglements.
Yet for me, and particularly at this time of year, going
AWOL is a temptation. I’ve nearly finished ten months of teaching a Bible class
and I’m tired. I want to work in my garden, make quilts, and go play with my
family. Instead of praying for hours each week, I want to take a break, smell
the roses, and even take a hike. While none of these pursuits are sinful, the
attitude of becoming entangled in them is strong enough to threaten my
obedience to God. For this, the next few verses are encouraging.
An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. (2 Timothy 2:5–7)
While not an athlete, I watch enough sports to know that
those who win can never let up. They must always be focused, guarding
themselves against lapses in their training schedule, diet, exercise,
activities, and so on. They must also compete according to the rules or they
will be benched. They get days off, but their focus is their game.
I’m more familiar with farming and know what it is like
to work hard all year only to have a hail storm wipe out a crop, or a plunge in
the markets make it worthless. Neither can a farmer play during the growing
season and expect a bumper crop. Putting food on his own table involves hard
work and a total focus on the land.
As a Christian trying to avoid the entanglements of
civilian pursuits, I often think it would be easier if I could see the prize in
front of me, or taste some of the firstfruits of my prayers. God could encourage
me that way, but it honors Him when His soldiers do His will without question
or complaining. He is pleased when I walk by faith and not by sight, focused His
glory, and not trying to escape the challenges that go with my life in Christ.
Lord, last night someone prayed for my hubby and I with
insight, asking You to give us that energy needed during stressful times when
we feel like quitting. I need Your strength to get past the temptations. Renew my
resolve to follow You, no matter what that requires.
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