A soldier has one of the most challenging jobs imaginable. The stress and strain of battle, injuries, and constant exertion take a toll. The threat of fatigue and discouragement are ever-present realities. That's why there is a common saying among those who have served in the military: “Stay in the fight.” Don't allow the circumstances paralyze you. You're weary, but stay in the fight. You're wounded, but stay in the fight. Maybe you can't do this thing any more, but you can do that thing, so stay in the fight!
Sometimes, amidst the chaos of the experiences a solider has, there are moments of uncertainty or loss of direction. All it takes is one thing to go sideways, and suddenly the best laid plans, the most organized chain of command, the most clear-cut responsibilities can become murky. You knew what to do a moment ago, but everything just changed. What do you do now? That's why military personal have another common saying: “Find a job.” Don't allow the circumstances to paralyze you. Maybe your original job was to do this, but something changed and now that's not possible (or not necessary). That shouldn't stop you. Look around, and find a job. See where there is a need, where there is a gap, and make that your new job.
There is another saying that doesn't come from a military environment, but I'm sure soldiers have some version of it: “When you can’t run, you walk. When you can’t walk, you crawl. And when you can’t crawl, you find somebody to carry you.” I especially like this one, because it captures the wisdom of the previous two. The circumstances cannot not paralyze you (unless you allow it). You were running, but something happened, and now you can't run. Start walking. You were walking, but something happened, and now you can't walk. Start crawling. You were crawling, but something happened, and now you can't crawl. Do you surrender? Do you lie down and give up? No, you find some to carry you. It's not forever. Wounds can be stitched, and bones can be set. Just find a way to keep moving.
What's the point here? Whether you have served in the military or not, as a Christian, you are called to be a solider. II Timothy 2:3-4 says:
3 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. 4 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.
Likewise, we find in II Corinthians 10:3-6:
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ; 6 And having in a readiness to revenge all disobedience, when your obedience is fulfilled.
And in I Peter 5:8-9 we are told:
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 9 Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.
As a Bible-believing Christian, you are in a war with no bullets, no bombs, and no bunkers. You are surrounded by enemies - the world, the flesh, and the devil - that are camouflaged in ways that carnal warfare can only imagine, and every day your fellow Christian soldiers suffer wounds and casualties that you cannot see, and that cannot be mended with bandages and medications.
Like physical warfare, the spiritual warfare the Christian experiences can take a toll. Fatigue and discouragement can be at your side in a moment. And sometimes pressure or chaos can settle around you in a way that leaves you feeling paralyzed. And yet our King and Captain (Hebrews 2:10 and Revelation 19:16) has given us orders that we are to carry out as good soldiers (II Timothy 2:3). What are we to do when the battle rages hot and we struggle to carry on?
Stay in the fight. Find a job. When you can’t run, you walk. When you can’t walk, you crawl. And when you can’t crawl, you find somebody to carry you.
Over the next few weeks we're going to look at some ways that we can practically do this. The series will include:
Fit for Service: Three Questions to Stay in the Fight
Fit for Service: Maintaining Spiritual Health
Fit for Service: Maintaining Physical Health
Fit for Service: Charting the Course
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